McCain's Way Way Forward Machine

John McCain on Tuesday:

Dismissing public opinion polls as offering nothing but "temporary favor" to the war's opponents, McCain directly confronted the biggest obstacle to his White House ambitions: his unyielding support of a war that more than two-thirds of the country has turned against.

John McCain circa 2009:

[McCain] said that if the Bush administration’s plan had not produced visible signs of progress by the time a McCain presidency began, he might be forced — if only by the will of public opinion — to end American involvement in Iraq.

“I do believe that history shows us Americans will not continue to support an overseas engagement involving the loss of American lives for an unlimited period of time unless they see some success,” he added. “And then, when they run out of patience, they will demand that we get out.”

John McCain is willing to ignore public opinion (and disparage those who advocate for them) today, only to cave to it tomorrow. As my boss at The Reaction, Michael J.W. Stickings, said: "If you're going to base policy decisions on public opinion, you should at least know what that opinion is."