Your 'Family Values' Party At Work

This from a Time Magazine portrait by Michael Scherer entitled "McCain: Loving His Misspent Youth" from the publication's website on 4/3/08:

"I enjoyed every single moment of my life here," he announced in a prepared speech Wednesday in Pensacola, Fla., "from learning to fly to blowing my pay at Trader Jon's."

The otherwise conservative crowd of more than a thousand supporters burst into approving applause and laughter at the mention of their storied downtown watering hole, which had dancing girls back when McCain served in the area as a young pilot. McCain's own knowing smile only added to the moment. Indeed, all week, the Republican nominee-in-waiting has been alluding to the wild days of his younger years, and crowds have been eating it up.

So the Repub Party's presumptive for president is enjoying boasting during his "biography" tour about his riotous past. Here is the message: when young, dedicate yourself to the Roman god of voluptas and throw caution to the wind; eventually, you, too, land on the brink of becoming commander-in-chief of the armed forces and leader of the free world.

In case we're unsure whom McCain hopes to influence, the campaign's media advisor assures us. "That's why we like him," (Mark) McKinnon said with a smile. "That's why he has potential appeal to young people."

Man of integrity, indeed.