In a NY Times article, Concern in G.O.P. After Rough Week for McCain, a former Republican congressman from Minnesota says, “The main thing [McCain] needs to do…is focus on a single message — a single, concise or clear-cut message, and stick with that over the next 30 days, regardless of what happens. He’s had a lot of attack lines. But it’s time to choose.”

I wonder if the erratic nature of McCain’s campaign is a harbinger of not only what kind of president he would be, but also what kind of commander-in-chief? Probably not, since the Iraq war is one of the few areas where his message has remained consistent over the past couple of years (this is not to say it’s been consistent throughout the war: see this stop on the DoubleTalk Express).

But with that being said — this is the first time McCain has ever had to lead anything on a national scale, and I think it’s safe to say that he’s run a pretty shitty campaign. Which is incredibly disappointing. Over a year ago, I wrote:

Sen. McCain would make a fine president. I disagree with him vehemently on Iraq, and the fact that he was a soldier, that he actually believes the United States is under attack…that is not a mind-set that I want in the Oval Office. But with that being said, I think he is a good man, and what’s more, I think he is an honest man. I think his policies are wrong, but I believe his heart is in the right place.

But over the last several months, he has done everything he could possibly do to prove me wrong. I once thought I could respectfully disagree with him, but now, just a few weeks from election day, the thought of a McCain presidency scares the shit out of me.

Way to run a campaign, Sen. McCain.