"John McCain has an anger problem. But not the one many political observers presumed he'd have. He has not lost his temper at a questioner, blown up at a reporter, or exploded during a debate. Rather than a swift detonation, he has settled into a slow burn. He seethes. His debate performances have been shot through with contempt and resentment. The first meeting saw McCain unable to meet Barack Obama's eye, or begin a sentence without first attaching, "what Senator Obama doesn't understand." The second saw him tumble into a Grandpa Simpson moment, smirking wildly at the camera and referring to Obama as "that one." Last night's meeting, however, was McCain's worst: The seated setting led to split-screen coverage, and McCain's face was alive with fury. He grimaced and smirked and sighed. He rolled his eyes and bulged his neck and shook his head. What he said aloud was not nearly so damaging as what his expressions silently betrayed. And so he lost. ...
"... John McCain's best moment in last night's debate came when he heatedly declared, 'Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.' So too should John McCain. But he did not run four years ago, nor accept John Kerry's offer of a partnership. And so the only man John McCain really has cause to be angry at is himself." ... Ezra Klein at American Prospect
Let's face it: most anger is at oneself. Its partner is resentment we feel at the people who refuse to support a cherished misconception about who we really are. Many would disagree, but I see John McCain as a multiple, life-long loser. If he were to win this year's election, it wouldn't be a real win but rather another triumph of Republican vote suppression.
