Aspirations Dashed, Mac May Actually Be Helpful

Every losing presidential candidate pledges to put aside partisanship and help the new president govern, but John McCain might be the first to actually do it, writes Steve Kornacki in the New York Observer. McCain is still in office, yet, at 72, “has absolutely no illusions about ever running for president again”—making the Republican surprisingly unique among modern candidates.

John Kerry clearly held ambitions of running again. George McGovern didn’t let his landslide 1972 loss stop him from running thrice more. Bob Dole knew he could never run again, but he’d given up his seat during the campaign. But McCain still holds real power. Whether he’ll help Barack Obama with it is anyone’s guess, but “the fact that it’s even plausible is nearly unprecedented.” (More John McCain stories.)