Congratulations…

…to John McCain, who clinched the Republican nomination tonight. If Hillary Clinton wins Ohio and Texas, her “comeback” will be hailed by the press, but it’s nothing compared to McCain’s, which seems more like a resurrection. I think a couple of basic lessons can be drawn.
One, it’s a bad idea to count anyone out before the voters have started to cast their ballots. Lots of pundits crossed McCain off the list of contenders before the first votes were recorded. Once people actually started voting, we were reminded why McCain had been the frontrunner for the nomination to begin with. Sometimes, paying too much attention to the minutiae of politics can be a drawback.
Two, we’re reminded that most voters don’t pick candidates by reviewing a checklist of issues. Most voters try to size up the candidate’s character, temperament and stature, and are willing to vote for candidates across what we ideologues would consider a broad philosophical range.
John McCain is, as many have said, a great man and a great American. While I disagree with him on a number of issues, I’m not sorry to see him as our nominee.
PAUL adds: If McCain is as competitive with the Dems as the polls now suggest, I won’t be sorry either.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side they’re saying it will be a long night with respect to both Ohio and Texas. I’m spending it watching the tape of today’s Arsenal-AC Millan soccer match.
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