After Fla., Big Things on the Horizon for McCain — Maybe

Yahoo — I get to eat my words again!

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), aka “The Phoenix,” took Florida last night in spite of the formidable forces against him. In yesterday’s post I wondered if Mitt Romney’s running 10 television ads to every one McCain bought, as well as McCain’s lack of focus on the economy, would not spell No. 2 for the Resurrected One. Ultimately McCain’s disparate voter groups (moderates, older voters, limited-government conservatives and veterans) were loyal enough, and his establishment blessings from Gov. Charlie Crist (R), Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and others were strong enough for McCain to become the favorite in a closed Republican contest for the first time ever.

With noble humility McCain conceded to Romney that the win wasn’t huge. “The margin that separated us tonight isn’t enough for me to brag about or for you to despair,” he said, practically inviting Romney to stay in the dogfight.

The big question looms — as he is endorsed tonight by departing contestant Rudy Giuliani at the Reagan Library in California just before facing off with Romney in a GOP presidential debate, will he also finally pick up the coveted endorsement of his good friend Nancy Reagan? In 2000 there were hints that it might come, but it never did. If it happened tonight it would rival the Ted and Caroline Kennedy torch passing to Barack Obama and it would finally change everything for McCain.

Don’t bet on it, right?

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