Aimai derives some well-earned Schadenfreude from reports that McCain had to cancel a fundraiser in his home state because too few people bought tickets. The best part: they were afraid the attendees would be outnumbered by protestors.

Kind of a stark contrast, isn't it?

Which reminds me of something I wrote a couple of months ago:

Elections in Gringolandia aren't about issues, they're about superstition: every contest is between the Lucky and the Doomed. People want to associate themselves with good fortune, and distance themselves from bad. Accordingly, there is no word more toxic in American politics than 'loser'.

McCain could be fit for the part. He lost to Bush in 2000, and was so peeved that he talked about joining the Democrats (see 'Crazy John', 'Cranky Old John'). In 2008, in a field of generally acknowledged losers, he came from behind to be the least loser of the bunch...and still couldn't seal the deal, denied majorities even after he was the presumptive nominee.

It's easy to overstate the impact of perception in politics; if the stone doesn't have weight, the sweeper won't get it into the house. Still: coming after a series of bad-news cycles for McCain (pro-tyranny lobbyists, the Hagee/Parsley two-step, and restless nativists), this story has got to hurt.

More like this, please.