An e-mail:

I can understand the source of VDH’s concern, wherein it seems that commenters are piling on McCain. However, I think that the substance of the concerns can be judged by readers, who will determine whether they constitute a concern for that voter or not. Just as we should closely examine our nominees to the bench, we should closely examine our presidential nominees. If McCain survives the process, I doubt he will lose votes due to the scrubbing of his temperament, statements, and votes. He may lose votes due to his temperament, statements, and votes, but that is a different issue. We should not paper over those issues if that is the concern. As for subjecting him to scrutiny, if he can’t take the heat, he’ll have to leave the kitchen. This all may be moot tonight, or it may be more prescient than ever.