McCain’s strategy, judging by the evidence of last night and his big speeches the last couple of weeks, is an interesting one–on the one hand, be frankly and harshly critical of Bush, while on the other ripping the Democrats on the war. This might seem an odd coupling of postures, but I think they could work together well. When it comes to ripping the Democrats, Jonah is right that this is what Republican voters want to hear. As I’ve written in here before, it captures the mood of Republican voters who are increasingly infused with a frustrated and righteous indignation. On criticizing Bush, it might not seem the best approach in a Republican primary, but I don’t think GOP voters are going to mind it the way they might have even a year ago, so it might be a cost-free way for McCain to get some straight-talk cred back from the media. And the two tacks–excoriating the Democrats and important aspects of Bush’s record–cohere as part of a “mad as hell” hawkish reformism. What doesn’t fit in this narrative is McCain’s profession of wanting to work together with Democrats in a practical bi-partisanship. I know McCain’s record obviously supports his contention that he can work with Democrats, but watching his demeanor last night, wouldn’t you have concluded that he’s the least likely to play well with others? So McCain’s “mad as hell” posture could help him now, but cause problems later (as John Hood points out here).