ProgressOhio

Most insightful puff piece of the season.

When his aides stopped him, fearing a public relations disaster, McCain suggested that they ask the casino to take a craps table to a private room, a high-roller privilege McCain had indulged in before. His aides, with alarm bells ringing, refused again, according to two accounts of the discussion. "He clearly knows that this is on the borderline of what is acceptable for him to be doing," says a Republican who has watched McCain play. "And he just sort of revels in it."

Four thoughts:

• Is it acceptable for a two-time chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to be frequenting casions, both reservation and otherwise, and taking "high-roller privileges"? Even his own staff didn't think so. Keep in mind, McCain's controversial behavior in overseeing the investigation into Jack Abramoff's illegal tribal casino lobbying.
• Is a guy who gambles four or five figures a night at the craps table able to relate to the economic problems facing Ohioans?
• Even McCain's former chief strategist says his gambling is an insight to his personality. Is someone whose "central thread" in life is "taking a chance, playing against the odds" someone who should be rolling the dice on Social Security?
• "a Navy flyer... spent his youth sneaking booze behind the backs of his schoolmasters and reveling in his stack of demerits.... Over time he gave up the drinking bouts...." Remind you of anyone?

See Also: "Rollin' Dem Bones" With John McCain