I didn't know much about McCain or his positions when the race for the Republican nomination began, so I did some very rudimentary research: I looked him up on Wikipedia.  I did not expect to become so alarmed.  My continued research revealed that the picture painted by his past was that of a shamefully unrestrained young man who could not bridle himself.  Prone to passionate outbursts and temper tantrums, he struggled as a student and his academic achievements were unerwhelming at best.  Given his progenitor line, his choice to join the military was the path of least resistence.  It's true that while he was serving our country in the military he was captured and lived as a POW for 5 years.  I thank him, respect him, and even reverence his sacrifice the way I do for any hero who would willingly give their life in my defense.  The question: can a psychologically compromising experience qualify one to run a nation?  That may seem like a pretty harsh approach, but it seems that many people have somehow linked these ideas.  McCain has ridden the coattails of his father and grandfather right into a public office, and for over 25 years his contribution to the welfare of our country resembles his report card at military school: bottom of the class.  How can we expect John McCain to put on a new hat in time to save America?  Frankly, at 71 years of age I don't think he can.  In the first place, his head is too hot.  McCain has abandoned many of the values inherent in the Republican platform on which he stands.  That spells a recipe for a shaky footing.  He has diverged on issues ranging from campaign finance to immigration,  his credentials in the economic arena have yet to be earned, and he just plays dirty.  I would be heartened somewhat if there was a ray of hope, some sign, any indication whatsoever that he has learned to control himself.  Nothing.  This was evidenced in the strange backroom deal surrounding the West Virginia primaries.  The Republican party needs a leader who can bring their splintered base into a unified force.  If McCain is lucky enough to see the conservative vote split between two superior candidates (Romney and Huckabee), then McCain's hope for the GOP nomination looks pretty solid.  Then what?  Inevitability kicks in - that's what.  McCain's electability against the formidable Democratic opponent puts one in mind of David and Goliath.  And McCain ain't Goliath.  It's tough to win a national election with an estranged Republican party base.  His hopes for the presidency will be dashed, and any remaining hope for Republican values will be equally snuffed out.  A fitting end to the tale of this "Maverick's" political life.  I didn't realize when I set out to read the story of John McCain that the last chapters would reveal a tragedy.  A sad thought: the maimed and dismembered cast of this tragedy?  All of us.