Gamble Seals Mac's Presidential Appeal

Senators and presidents have very different jobs—one debates and compromises, the other decides and acts. By suspending his campaign and heading to Washington, John McCain proves he’s a man of action, William Kristol writes in the Weekly Standard. The bold move might win over voters looking for the more “presidential” and less “senatorial” candidate—and it’s certainly more important than an overrated debate.

“The media, being talkers and debaters, love debates,” Kristol notes, and will crucify McCain for trying to skip one. But tomorrow’s affair is sure to be a bland repetition of well-rehearsed lines. How the candidates act over these few days will be the “true debate,” Kristol writes. “If the race is between an energetic executive and an indecisive talker, the energetic executive should win.” (More John McCain stories.)