Make-Believe Maverick

I used to think that John McCain was a useful politician to have around. Appearing on popular talk shows, McCain used to skewer both his friends and enemies with humorous anecdotes and witty putdowns.

Now that he has morphed (for the tenth time) into yet another personality (that of "far right-wing man"), it's now clear that this isn't a new McCain, but another facet of the old one.

Rolling Stone has an excellent summary this month of why his qualities might be kind of cool if he was a local politician, but not so hot when he's running for president. (Hint: What kind of person picks Sarah Palin as a running mate?)