One principle left

John McCain once bucked his party's doctrine. No more. He couldn't win the nomination that way.

John McCain once bucked the "agents of intolerance." No more. He couldn't rally the base that way.

John McCain once opposed torture. No more. He couldn't suck up to the Bushists that way.

John McCain once took a dim view of war. No more. He couldn't be a Republican without advocating more force, more often.

John McCain once advocated deregulating just about everything. No more. He can't win as the doctrinaire Republican he has become, so he's pivoting away even from things he has believed for his entire political career.

The only remaining constant in John McCain's program is me, me, me. He says he's for country first, but he really only puts himself first.

A man with backbone

Three days in jail over a dollar! My hat's off to Thomas Jensen, who at age 68 still hasn't learned to pick his battles. He is right, of course. No business, not even New Hampshire's toll authority, should be able to renounce its debts this way.

He didn't even tell his wife about it.

"Hon, about that fishing trip to New Hampshire. Turns out I was the new fish."

The Democrats in Washington ought to take a lesson from Jensen about standing on principle. They actually do have important battles to fight.