I predicted a while ago that McCain would fall to third place if Newt announced. I was wrong about that. He has fallen to third on the mere anticipation of a Thompson announcement, according to the new LA Times poll.

It’s weird. Through happenstance and no conscious choices of his own, McCain has gotten himself back where he is psychologically most comfortable–as an underdog, fighting a tough up-hill battle. I hope–at least temperamentally–it liberates McCain and he becomes the “give ‘em hell” candidate.

I was struck last week in New Hampshire how cheerful and upbeat both Romney and Giuliani were. I don’t think that’s where the conservative mood is. It’s getting more mad and disgusted by the hour (at and with the Democrats, the drift of events in the world, the failures of the Bush administration). That’s the sentiment a “give ‘em hell” McCain could tap into, and he had an excellent start with his VMI speech yesterday (here’s our editorial on it).

This passage in particular leapt out at me:

Before I left for Iraq, I watched with regret as the House of Representatives voted to deny our troops the support necessary to carry out their new mission. Democratic leaders smiled and cheered as the last votes were counted. What were they celebrating? Defeat? Surrender? In Iraq, only our enemies were cheering.

Don’t hold back, senator. Give ‘em hell.