Having lately read some good stuff at Powerline, I have been visiting more frequently. Today John Hinderaker's comments on John McCain caught my eye

Yesterday, I heard John McCain on Michael Medved's radio show. It was a reminder of how good McCain can be. And how conservative: the first caller said that McCain is regarded as a moderate Republican, and asked, what is the difference between a moderate Republican and a moderate Democrat? McCain responded, "Well, first of all, I'm a conservative. I have a lifetime rating of 82% from the American Conservative Union, and the only reason it isn't higher is because a lot of conservatives disagree with me on campaign finance reform. So, I'm a proud conservative."

Later, a caller asked McCain whether he was critical of President Bush's telephoning the anti-abortion demonstrators in Washington. McCain said not at all; this was a tradition that goes back to President Reagan. McCain said that he has a 27-year pro-life voting record. He was unapologetic and unequivocal.

McCain's age is an issue, but not an insurmountable one if he comes across as mentally and physically vigorous in three years, as I'm pretty sure he will. We and other conservatives have parted company with McCain on several important issues, most notably taxes and regulation of political speech. But he will be a powerhouse Presidential candidate, and it may not take too much to win over conservative Republicans like me. Especially if the choice comes down to McCain or a Democrat like Hillary Clinton, whom I'm pretty sure McCain would trounce.

McCain's record is incidental with me, although its good to know that he is more conservative than his press has made him out ot be. What McCain has going for him is that disarming frankness. He doesn't equivocate, back-track of change the subject--he answers questions head on. I am loathe to attribute my personal reactions as generalized throughout the electorate, but I think McCain's "straight-talk-express" is perceived favorably by most people.

That demeanor would be a huge advantage in 2008 because it would highlight the Democrat's biggest disadvantage--the fact that they can't be honest about their positions. The left is a delicate alliance of dramatically disparate special interest groups whose agendas have very little to do with the national interest. Consequently, the Crat skill set is focused on getting through the rhetorical minefield intact. This dynamic is largely responsible for Kerry statements like "I voted for the funding before I voted against it".

Absent any really objectionable policies, that quality alone in a McCain candidacy makes him worth supporting.

I would be concerned about his age though--at 72 in 2008, McCain would be older than Ronald Reagan was when he took office. Now plenty of men are sharp at 72, but the presidency takes a toll--George Bush has aged dramatically in only five years. If he served two terms, he could be 80 at the end of his administration. It will be vitally important to pick a solid vice presidential candidate.