May I just take a moment to say thank you to my regular commenters. I don't typically respond in comment threads, and I used to not even read them, but rest assured I do now, and I'm very grateful for the kind words (well aware that even by saying that I'm inviting an inevitable flurry of abuse from disagreeniks, but it's a free country, or we're both free countries). Plus I learn a lot. I could cite many comments, but one example is Green Lake's intelligent response to my assertion that McCain never could have won the GOP nomination without embracing the right. He/she says this was actually McCain's "fatal mistake," and makes a good case.
So thanks again.