Note to our readers: The online editor of THE WEEKLY STANDARD and proprietor of this blog, Michael Goldfarb, has taken a leave of absence effective today to serve as deputy communications director of the McCain campaign. He’ll be focusing on their online activities. We’ll all be assisting deputy online editors John McCormack and Samantha Sault in the herculean task of filling Mike’s shoes for the next five months. Then we expect to welcome him back–unless he’s appointed national security adviser in the McCain White House.