McCain’s Victory
Yesterday’s late compromise on the issue of judicial filibusters handed an early victory to John McCain in his efforts to advance his chances at winning the Presidency in 2008. While many conservative special interests are displeased with the compromise, the majority of Americans hold disdain for the Senators battling over the filibuster, according to polls. By defusing, at least for now, the battle, McCain has again proven his ability to reach across the aisle and make progress where others could not. This, in addition to the McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform and the McCain/Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, shows McCain’s commitment to addressing difficult issues in rational ways that address the will of the American people.
While it’s doubtful that the filibuster fight is entirely over, it may well be lost for Frist. If in fact it is, it will be a blow to his and the President’s control of the Republican party– and given that Frist appears to be Bush’s desired successor, this will be an important step towards McCain securing the Republican nomination. This, combined with the public’s growing disenchantment with our nation’s leadership (and if things continue as they are, the pendulum may begin swinging back as early as 2006), may send the right signals to the Republican party that McCain is their only hope if they wish to secure another four years in the White House.
While I can’t say that the Republican party deserves another four years in control of the Executive branch, McCain has proven himself over time to be invested in reason and progress. If he receives the nod from the Republicans, he’d be a candidate worthy of support (depending, of course, on his challengers). Better yet, he could drop the Republican party’s baggage and run as an independent. He is, after all, closer to the mainstream than is either party.
Update: The New York Times calls it a “modest win for Bush,” and Slate focuses on the vote delaying, but not foreclosing on, a filibuster battle.
Update 5/25: The Washington Post takes a bit longer but does a better job of saying the same thing as me.