I thought John McCain seemed like a different man when he spoke at CPAC. He came across as humbler and less ‘in-your-face’ than normal. It seems he made the same impression when he greeted his Republican Senate colleagues yesterday:
…Arizona Sen. John McCain faced a friendlier crowd than some may have expected when he returned to the Senate on Tuesday to speak at the Republican policy luncheon. Senators who have nearly come to fisticuffs with McCain in the past appear to be letting old feuds die, at least publicly, after McCain made what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) described as “gracious remarks.” McCain, of course, is considered one of the testiest Senators, prone to dropping f-bombs, even on members of his own party. But now, it seems there’s decidedly more love in the air. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R), long known for his own fiery temper, told HOH that he’s supporting McCain’s presidential bid. And while McCain’s anti-pork-barrel rhetoric on the campaign trail often points to Stevens’ “Bridge to Nowhere” as what’s wrong with Washington, Stevens noted that he’s had differences with a lot people. “I’m a trial lawyer and we fight and fight and go out and have a beer later,” Stevens said.
McCain’s temper is an Achilles heel. I recently spoke with a Democratic strategist who commented that it would be a major goal for the Democrats to goad McCain into lashing out on camera. Such an outburst — or even several of them — could seriously damage his candidacy. But for now, McCain seems to be handling even hostile audiences with ease. Winning will do that.
