Not So Mean McCain
The Arizona senator has had an admirable couple of weeks.

By NR Editors
August 20, 2001 issue

ohn McCain has always had a pretty conservative voting record, so lately maybe he has just been regressing toward the mean. But for whatever reason, he has had an admirable couple of weeks: defending free trade when it comes to Mexican truckers, sticking up for unfairly embattled consumer-protection nominee Mary Sheila Gall, agitating for more defense spending, fighting corporate welfare. Good for him. But it is worth noting that the famously bipartisan McCain hasn't gotten much Democratic support in these fights — he gets help from across the aisle (and a nice media bounce) only when he supports more regulation. McCain can, nonetheless, continue his winning streak if he follows through on his support for Social Security reform in last year's campaign. The senator is well situated to respond to the demagogic attacks it is drawing from Democrats. Bring on the straight talk.