Did McCain Almost Switch Sides?

GOP stalwart returns to Senate, eye on reining in lobbying and earmarks

(NEWSER) - Sen. John McCain, forgotten but not gone after his failed bid for the presidency, was back in form this week as he pushed bipartisan reform of earmarks and lobbying, Congressional Quarterly reports. Though the Arizona Republican’s eyes were watery and he had some trouble reading at the press conference, “He’s engaged and ready to go,” a GOP colleague affirmed. More»

Moderates have pushed party out of power, some argue

(NEWSER) - Social conservatives are wrangling with moderates for control of the GOP, plotting a January takeover of the Republican National Committee even if John McCain wins, the Los Angeles Times reports. Moderates like Colin Powell say the party has alienated voters—especially minorities—by narrowing its focus, but “moderating our party is what caused us to lose power,” a state GOP chairman argues. More»

PR firm helped her woo pundits, make case

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin likes to play up her outsider credentials while decrying the media elite, but she’s relied on both throughout her career. Belying her mockery of the “mainstream media,” Palin hired a well-connected PR firm to target East Coast journalists and courted conservative media insiders who eventually championed her VP candidacy. Jane Mayer of the New Yorker looks at a "surprise" nomination that was months, if not years, in the making. More»

Republicans called Alaska gov. a 'maverick'

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin ruled the political morning shows today at the expense of Barack Obama's historic speech last week, Politico reports:

• John McCain rebuked criticisms that Palin was unqualified to be "a heartbeat away" from the presidency. “She’s been commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard," he said on Fox News Sunday. "She’s had judgment on these issues."
• On This Week and Meet the Press, Republicans Sen. Lindsey Graham and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty chimed in that Palin has been "in charge of the National Guard" and a "commander in chief."

Front-runner cozies up to old enemies in effort to 'unify the party'

(NEWSER) - Playing presumptive GOP nominee means smiling a lot, in John McCain's case. Now that he's aiming to “unify the party,” he’s cozying up to far-right Republicans he can’t stand and putting his infamous temper on the shelf, the New York Times reports. He even called Mitt Romney "honorable" and remembered to flash a smile for the cameras when the ex-hopeful recently endorsed him. More»