Robert Costa sat in on the Daily Rundown’s Gaggle to discuss John McCain’s new deal-making role in the Senate. “At the end of the day, the center of gravity within the Senate Republican conference is not John McCain: it’s Mitch McConnell cutting a deal with Vice President Biden, it’s Ted Cruz shaping the debate from the right flank,” he explained.

Later in the show, Costa also offered his insights on the ongoing back-and-forth between Chris Christie and Rand Paul: “It may be early, but the 2016 Republican civil war is already on.”