Why does McCain get a free pass from the media and public in general? Oxblog seems to think the media loves having a moderate Republican to contradict the president, somehow spinning favorable coverage of a Republican into a liberal media bias. But McCain is more than the media's favorite poster boy for (sometimes) rational Republicanism. He is a politician with celebrity status, a rare position that he shares only with fellow moderate Republican Rudy Giuliani.

But why? Why are McCain and Giuliani given cameos in Hollywood movies and asked to appear on SNL? The reason for Giuliani's fame is obvious: 9/11. America was desperate for a hero after 9/11, and while Bush's status as hero diminished over the years as questionable policies and wars tainted his image, Giuliani is still associated with the tragedy. McCain, on the other hand, has become a celebrity by being a genuine, non-partisan politician and having the guts to tackle tough initiatives like torture.

Does the say something about America's preference for moderates? For all the talk about the Republican party belonging to the far right, the centrists McCain and Giuliani are much more popular than Bush right now. Perhaps, but more importantly McCain and Giuliani have so far been experts at projecting a successful image in the media. Giuliani has shyed away from the public, knowing that the more he associates himself with a particular campaign or agenda the less he will be associated with 9/11. McCain has done just the opposite and made himself a talking head for many important issues facing the Senate. In a time of bitter partisanship, McCain has had the courage to occasionally criticize the president, which makes him seem like a rogue who doesn't play the Washington game.

The problem is, when a politician assumes the status of celebrity, their public image may be misleading and hard to change. Not that I dislike McCain, in fact I like him a lot at times, but his faults are often overlooked by the media and his adoring public. Lately he has endorsed a gay marriage amendment in his state, supported the teaching of intelligent design, and turned to Jerry Falwell for support. That doesn't sound so moderate, but it does sound like he's considering a run at the presidency.

As the 2008 election approaches, it will be interesting not only to see if McCain and Giuliani shift to the right in order to secure the "base", but it will be also interesting to watch how the media and the public handles these two. Will people be able to set aside a boyish admiration for Giuliani and really look at his policies and stances when judging whether he will make a good president? I think McCain will defeat Giuliani in the primaries because he has more substance once you get past Giuliani's hero facade. But with much of McCain's image resting on his centrist tenacity, will he be able to maintain his celebrity status while shifting rightward?

Or maybe the constitution will be amended and the only politician with more star power than McCain and Giuliani will make a run for the Oval Office. I dare not type the name for fear that it may come true, but you girlie-men know who I'm talking about.