Creating the Next John McCain

John McCain is largely a creation of the media. He was seduced by the dark side as he slavishly sought and received mainstream media approval. He was seduced by his own vanity.

But now, the media is done with him.

And, so, the media have gone casting about for a suitable replacement. Central casting has come back with two options, both from the Midwest. First, we have Senator Obama of Illinois. In the media's view: The more said about him, the better. For our purposes here: Enough's been said to last two lifetimes already. Second, we have Senator Hagel of Nebraska. Mr. Hagel is who McCain was when McCain was McCain. A Vietnam veteran and a harsh critic of other Republicans, especially President Bush when it comes to the war in Iraq, the Nebraska senator has to be considered a strong contender for the Sunday Shows Straw Poll. He's even the subject of some McCain-level hagiography this week, courtesy of Esquire magazine.

And so John McCain will suffer the same fate that awaits all inauthentic politicians who seek Republican favor - the dustbin of history. If you want to succeed as a plastic banana, the Democrats await.