Six Ways to Rebuild the McCain Brand

The fight for the presidency has left John McCain's reputation battered and bruised, but Christopher Beam of Slate suggests six steps the senator should take to return to glory.

• Remeet the press. The bad blood between McCain and the media can be removed if he stops clamming up and "goes rogue" again.
• Acknowledge his mistakes. McCain has owned up to his mistakes in the past and he would win respect by admitting campaign missteps—perhaps starting with his choice of a certain Alaskan.

• Piss off Republicans. With the need to win the GOP base gone, McCain can go back to his mavericky ways.
• Be funny. McCain is liked for his sense of humor, and a chuckle over his campaign's worst moments would show America he's not bitter.
• Reach out to Obama. Grace in defeat must extend beyond the concession speech to reaching across the aisle.
• Write a campaign memoir. McCain is at his best when telling stories, and an unvarnished account of the campaign would be a must-read.

(More John McCain stories.)