We've often heard about John McCain's famed temperament and even he himself is quite fond of telling us he's never won "Miss Congeniality" in the Senate, but I guess I sort of never really expected him to put this quality on full display for us all to see. Between McCain's debate performance on Friday and his utterly uncharming turn here in front of the editorial board of The Des Moines Register, it's becoming clear that he doesn't expect to win any popularity contest in the presidential race either. But didn't we learn from Bush that winning the presidency is at least half popularity contest? Sort of have to wonder if McCain is even trying anymore.

What's striking too is his complete denial that his campaign has been anything but 100% honest. As John Marshall says, when backed into a corner on his campaign's lies he really does seem to "retreat to his former POW status" as he becomes utterly defiant. A far cry from the repentent sinner from 2000. I guess Joe Klein was wrong, there is no apology forthcoming after all.

So if he's in no mood for mea culpas and has no intention of charming his way to the White House, does that mean we might be in for the next iteration of John McCain: unhinged, with nothing left to lose? The Politico is reporting that nervous Republicans are urging him to go nuclear on Obama. From what we've seen of McCain lately, is there any evidence at all that he'd shirk from doing just that?