[MARTIAL MONK]

I've heard the stories enough that I could done the interview last night for him. And, yes the stories have changed. Very subtlely but they have changed. I bothered me a bit early on but then I watched him tell them in groups of people. He was (I don't think intentionally) refining them to match the message that the audiences were gleaning from them. Most of it was a matter of emphasizing some parts and deemphasizing others.

At first they were raw war stories to do with as one would. Then they became little morality plays with McCain grappling in a world beyond his control. Then they became general life lessons for public consumption. The substance didn't change but the point of the stories did.

McCain is a bit enigmatic, beyond ascription to personal ambition. He will shake up the Party but I view it as a good thing. Republicans are in retreat. The map of blue and purple is growing. McCain will hold the line and shake things up while the young Turks determine the future direction of the Party.

[John D]

I bet we were at many of the same Trunk and Tusk events.