I haven't seen such a bad piece of news as this all day. And the day has had some bad news, what with Huckabee maintaining a lead in the pre-Iowa polls. But Huckabee probably can't be sustained. McCain, on the other hand, can and will be sustained by all of the friendly forces in the press. What a disaster this nomination is shaking up to be. Next you're going to tell me that Ron Paul is doing well.

Glad to hear McCain is doing well. While he has not always been popular with all conservatives due to lesser issues such as the gang of 14 work, amnesty, and campaign finance reform, on the important issues including international knowhow and fiscal responsibility, he is by far the most credible of the leading candidates. McCain is also probably the most forthright of the candidates, which will be unmeasurably important in the next President.

I could have wished for an ideal conservative - perhaps along the lines of President Reagan. But, when the issues are prioritized, McCain comes closest despite some of those decisions he has made.

I have to admit that illegal immigration is a fairly high priority issue. As far as I know McCain favors a border fence and other measures to discourage illegal immigration. His one transgression was to vote for a path to citizenship for those illegals already here. But, really, what choice did he have if he was to responsibily face the issue? The salient fact is that illegals here will never be deported. If anybody does not agree with this, I have a wonderful bridge between Marin County and San Francisco for sale. Given that illegals here will stay here, McCain probably felt they could not be left in limbo indefinitely. A solution, however unpopular, had to be found. President Bush also recognized this fact.