How much is the 2008 election appear to be a repeat of 1992 election of a war hero (Bob Dole) v. a young and hungry newcomer (Bill Clinton). Dole's attitude was that of many of his generation in that he and is generation had taken on and whipped Italian fascism, German nazism, Japanese imperialism, and Russian communism. He had nothing to prove and let his record speak for itself. Shift to McCain. POW, tortured, voluntarily stayed behind, organized resistance against his captors, combat pilot. He has nothing to prove and his record in terms of his character needs no commentary.
All of which is irrelevant when it comes to a presidential election. The name of the game is what a candidate will do based on what he has done. McCain had better get busy and talk specifics. He had better starting calling O'Bama what his is--a marxist. He had better lay aside senatorial comity and engage in the fight. I would think a fighter pilot would understand one on one combat. He has evidently forgotten the nature of combat OR he simply thinks he is owed this shot at the stars. In any case the stars are not lining up right with this guy (not that I have any positive expectation of his presidency).