We’ve touched on this before although we haven’t really gotten into it. Yes, his legislative record’s impressive. Yes, he delivered a hell of a speech in support of Maverick at CPAC. Yes, he wears the badge of southern authenticity before which 95% of Republicans genuflect:

McCain’s support in the South is soft, and Coburn could help him shore it up. On Super Tuesday, the only Southern(ish) state that McCain carried comfortably was Oklahoma — largely because of Coburn’s endorsement. True, the polls currently show McCain cleaning up in the South, but that has more to do with Democratic bloodletting than with solid support, and remember that Democrat Barack Obama has garnered a lot of primary votes in red states…

By picking Bush, Reagan told Washington power brokers, “I’m willing to work with you.” By picking Coburn, McCain would be saying, “Expect a bumpy ride, boys.”

I have but one exit question. Is the party really ready for a guy on the ticket who evidently thinks the war was a mistake? Can you imagine the Democratic campaign commercials? Let’s see a show of hands on this one.