The Electability Trap

You'd think that having conservative legal luminary like Stephen Calabresi--cofounder of the Federalist Society--editorialize on John McCain's behalf would be a big plus for the Arizona Senator as he tries to mollify his party's social conservative base. But check out Calabresi's reasoning in this morning's Wall Street Journal:

We believe that the nomination of John McCain is the best option to preserve the ongoing restoration of constitutional government. He is by far the most electable Republican candidate remaining in the race, and based on his record is as likely to appoint judges committed to constitutionalism as Mitt Romney, a candidate for whom we also have great respect.

We make no apology for suggesting that electability must be a prime consideration.

These kind of practical, electability-based arguments remind God-o-Meter of 2004 race, when Dems made the practical choice in nominating war veteran John Kerry at a time when the GOP's evangelical base was viscerally excited about the reelection of George W. Bush. Remember who won?

Note to readers: God-o-Meter accidentally cranked John McCain's reading up to 8 yesterday when it intended instead to assign Mitt Romney that score. Sorry for the confusion.