The kiss of death for John McCain?

The New York Times has given him its endorsement, thereby managing to make a better case against his nomination than any of his opponents have done thus far in the campaign.

Senator John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe. With a record of working across the aisle to develop sound bipartisan legislation, he would offer a choice to a broader range of Americans than the rest of the Republican field.

Hmmm...I didn't realize that big-spending, big-government Republicans were a "small, angry fringe," but if the Times says it, it must be true.

He was an early advocate for battling global warming and risked his presidential bid to uphold fundamental American values in the immigration debate.

Yes, if you believe, as the Times does, that placing additional regulatory burdens on the greatest economic engine the world has ever known is the best way to combat global warming, then Sen. McCain is the man to lead your Great Gaian fleet into battle. If, on the other hand, you believe that innovation and technology are the keys to developing cleaner and more efficient uses of energy resources, then you might consider another candidate.

Likewise, if you believe that "fundamental American values" include open borders, unlimited immigration, and amnesty for illegal aliens, then Sen. McCain is among the best the GOP has to offer.

He has been a staunch advocate of campaign finance reform, working with Senator Russ Feingold, among the most liberal of Democrats, on groundbreaking legislation, just as he worked with Senator Edward Kennedy on immigration reform.

The McCain-Feingold Act was indeed groundbreaking legislation. It was also Constitution-breaking legislation: a direct affront to the very core of free speech protected by the First Amendment. If you believe that the guarantee of free speech extends to strippers, porn peddlers, and New York Times editors, but not to those who engage in the old-fashioned American tradition of proclaiming their political preferences in public, then Sen. McCain is your hands-down best choice. If, on the other hand, you acknowledge that the First Amendment protects political speech above all other forms, then here's a word of advice to keep you out of the McCain memorial brig: just don't dare say so (at least not loudly enough for anyone to hear) within 90 days of an election.

I said the other day that in light of Fred Thompson's departure from the race, I'm taking a second look at Sen. McCain. That hasn't changed, but as you may be able to guess, if I do end up voting for him, I won't like it a bit.