I think you're thinking too much like a Democrat. McCain isn't one of His Highness's cronies/in-gang, and this is more about money and power being corralled in a very tight-knit circle which is merely wearing the Republican veneer as a manipulable route to that power. Half this circle goes back to the Nixon era and we know what kind of illegalities were sanctioned there, to say nothing of Iran/Contra a wee bit later. To them, an imperial presidency is only right and who in the world has the power to tell them otherwise? Not even the electorate, and only the Congress if they stand up on their hind legs and impeach.

Who knew much about Bush II before his nomination? I expect the GOP will pull another rabbit out of its hat in 2007 -- god help us if it's Jeb.