I think maybe we should take McCain at his word. It is conceivable that his campaign for President is in fact designed to illustrate the higher calling espoused in his simple campaign slogan.
Country First
My theory: By the time McCain crawls over the finish line on November 4, it should be abundantly clear even to the people pulling the R lever that their only motivation is racism. Why else would McCain run such an erratic, content-free, transparently self-centered, dishonest campaign? McCain is deliberately trying to lose the election. And it's all in the name of civics.
Country First -- Picking for a running mate a neophyte half-wit who can't even stare down Katie Couric? Picking this running mate after talking to her TWICE? Encouraging her to call herself a maverick when every reformist claim she utters can be easily debunked with a monitor and mouse in a few minutes?
Country First -- Actually suggesting your opponent might be a child molester? Spending valuable days when you could be talking about, oh, I don't know, THE ECONOMY OR IRAQ, instead repeating ad nauseum that your opponent has used a sexist slur he did not in fact use?
Country First -- Forgetting basic things like HOW MANY HOUSES YOU OWN at a time when millions of Americans are losing their only homes?
Country First -- Letting a gang of known lobbyists run your Maverick Reformer campaign?
Country First -- Just when the country needs to hear some straight talk from its next leader, try to cancel the debates?
McCain has no discernible principles. The few ideas he has expressed over the years (No Regulation! Agents of Intolerance! No Bush Tax Cuts!) he has happily repudiated. As for judgement and management skills, he has offered little evidence (at least of late) he is anything but bat-shit-crazy.
He really wants voters to get behind the curtain across our great land and have no possible reason to vote for McCain/Palin. He has heroically decided that his best service at this very late date in his public life is to make voters confront their own racism and pull the lever for Barack Obama.
I am proud of John McCain.
COUNTRY FIRST!