At this time three years ago, John McCain was puzzling the pundits by NOT actively campaigning during a period when the Democrats were practicing fratricide over their choice to be the 2008 presidential nominee.
And then McCain had the brilliant idea of plucking Sarah Palin from her richly-deserved obscurity and launching the most interminable fifteen minutes in human history.
But McCain and his supporters can at least take some comfort in knowing that President Obama has been a reliable steward of moderate Republican ideals. Because let’s face, how much different would America be at this moment if McCain had won the election in 2008?
Faced with a broken healthcare system, Obama responded with a moderate tweak that doesn’t come within shouting distance of solving any of the real problems, and it leaves insurance companies still firmly in control.
Faced with a now-pointless military occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama has responded by committing our troops to a surge and maintaining troop levels for the foreseeable future. Remember Obama’s timetable? Don’t feel bad; he doesn’t either.
Nobody on Wall Street has been indicted for the financial crimes and misdemeanors during the Bush Administration, and they never will be. Tough regulatory oversight? Not on Obama’s watch.
And Guantanamo Bay is still open for business.
Congratulations, President McCain!