Yeah, the "straight shooter" sure does seem to misfire a lot, but it doesn't matter. Op-eds like the one you linked to notwithstanding, there is almost no end to which media outlets around the country won't go to serve as McCain's fluffers.

The worst part is, he's basically a made man now. The media's been fluffing him far too long to give up on him now, so as far as they're concerned, he is, was, and will be "honest", "principled", and "moderate". Nothing short of being caught with a live boy or a dead girl can change that now.

The Democratic nominee is going to have to beat McCain AND the obsequious press to be our next President.