Just One Term

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN can increase his chances of winning the presidency in 2008 if he pledges not to run for it in 2012. He should pledge, that is, to serve only one term as president if elected. Why would any candidate do something so self-abnegating? Because it would help him both in the primaries and in the general election.

McCain was for a while the most popular politician in America, in large part because he wasn’t seen as a typical politician. An admiring press corps helped put him in that flattering light. But he has lost both that reputation and the support of the press since 2004. Because he is taking the steps that are necessary to win the Republican nomination-such as calling for the retention of tax cuts he originally opposed-the press has fallen out of love with him and he risks appearing to be just another pandering, flip-flopping politician.

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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John McCain

Presidential Election

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN can increase his chances of winning the presidency in 2008 if he pledges not to run for it in 2012. He should pledge, that is, to serve only one term as president if elected. Why would any candidate do something so self-abnegating? Because it would help him both in the primaries and in the general election.

McCain was for a while the most popular politician in America, in large part because he wasn’t seen as a typical politician. An admiring press corps helped put him in that flattering light. But he has lost both that reputation and the support of the press since 2004. Because he is taking the steps that are necessary to win the Republican nomination-such as calling for the retention of tax cuts he originally opposed-the press has fallen out of love with him and he risks appearing to be just another pandering, flip-flopping politician.