Your analysis (entire article, not just this line) is pretty darn good. McCain is doing what he thinks is best for the country, and in fact, I think a little bit of Palin is actually rubbing off on him.
I did not think McCain the best Republican choice, but will support any Anit-obama candidate. I believe that the media helpd McCain gain the nomination as the most centrist of the candidates. McCain was the media's Plan B if Obama is not elected.
Either way conservatives are going to be in hole for the next several years. The difference is being in a hole you can climb out of or being at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.