Mark – As usual that’s brilliantly written and I take your point. But, lest readers confuse the lucidity of your remarks for the mud of Huffington’s, I think I should clarify. Yes, McCain’s support in 2000 was inflated by non-Republicans of many stripes (particularly in New Hampshire). But that’s not Arianna’s point at all. She claims to have glimpsed the motivations of Republican primary voter. She writes: “McCain’s fate should be a warning to all Republicans seeking office in 2008: continue to back the president’s war policy at your own risk.” That, quite simply, is very stupid.

Update: Tigerhawk concurs.