Speed bump for Sen. Straight Talk Express

When John McCain ran for president in 2000, his "straight talk" and "quaint habit of saying what he believes, regardless of partisan ideology" convictions were touted as reasons to support his candidacy, or at least were listed as reasons that he was a media darling. In this appearance before the Concord Coalition last November, he was praised as a man who "is simply inflexible when it comes to a matter of principle," and that "John McCain not only agrees with his convictions but most certainly has the courage of his convictions. He has that courage in all of its dimensions: political, moral, and obviously physical courage." Warren Rudman went on to laud McCain as a man who "believes in doing what is right for the American people and he doesn’t care what power interest, political or private, that he goes up against if he believes that he’s right."

All of these are wonderful characteristics. Few of us can live up to such lofty praise. Apparently, Sen. McCain can not. Now that he has announced that he will not vote to end Democratic filibusters against judicial nominees, one would expect to find some noble reason behind his decision, right? How's this for principled? "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told MSNBC, 'I will vote against the nuclear option . . . because we won't always be in the majority.'"

That's it? From a man who doesn't care about political interests if he believes he is right? He doesn't have any basis other than, "Well, we might be in the minority someday and want to use it, so I want to preserve it"? Many of those who support the move to end filibusters against judicial nominees argue that the Constitution doesn't state that a supermajority of the Senate is required to give advice and consent on a nominee, that it is a power shared with the executive, and that consequently, it should not be subject to Senate rules on debate, but that nominees are entitled to a simple up-or-down, majority vote in the Senate. I detailed these arguments here. Surely the senator famous for his straight talk would have more than a cold political calculation to support his decision on a vote. Apparently not, and we are all the poorer for the lack of conviction in this politician.