[KevinTheOmnivore]

I think McCain, much like Powell, is playing the good soldier. Both men, IMO, have political aspirations for higher office (heck, how imposing would a McCain/Powell GOP ticket look in 2008?).

I to am surprised to see McCain stump for Bush, however, after Bush/Rove conducted one of the dirtiest presidential primaries in history against the man.

I think McCain sees himself as a candidate hopeful in 2008, and probably would secretly like to see this Bush go down. If this Bush loses to liberal John Kerry, that would essentially be a condemnation of the fringe-Right, neo-conservative stance taken by this administration. Popular, traditional conservative John McCain could then step in and pick up the pieces for the GOP. He would immediately take a higher leadership position within the party, IMO.

Hell, a contest in 2008 of two friends debating ideas rather than scandals might be kind of nice.