Kate – I’d add one more thing to the merits of having McCain & Giuliani speaks (as far as Pataki goes, I’d be perfectly happy if quit to join the Democrats or the Black Panther Party for all I care).

At a time when the Democrats have been fairly successful in painting the war in Iraq as George W. Bush’s mistaken or immoral adventure, isn’t it a good idea to remind the public that even the more moderate members of the party support the war, want total victory and believe that Bush is on the right side of the argument? Bush is largely running for president to re-up as Commander-in-Chief. Using the politicians swing-voters love to make the case for Bush seems perfectly legitimate. Indeed, this isn’t a lie — as Sullivan claims — it’s a true show of support from Republicans who are united on the war on terror. No one expects to McCain to say he supports Bush’s budgets (who does?), but presumably whatever “straight talk” he offers in praise of Bush will be sincere. Or is McCain only a straight talker when he criticizes his own party?