Crossing The Aisle

The New York Times has a piece on McCain in 2001 and 2004 almost bolting his party. It strikes me as a non-story, but McCain's problems with the Republicans are interesting. Here's a guy who's regularly gone against his own people and worked closely with the other side. How will that play in the election?

Presumably, it will help him with independents, but hurt him with the base. Will this be a net gain or loss? No one knows, and in an age when turnout is crucial, it's even harder to guess.

Also, could McCain take what may seem to some as bad publicity and make it a good thing? In other words, can he run by saying "I'm the true unifier and I've got the track record to prove it, while my opponent [assuming it's Obama] may talk a good game but reliably votes with the left wing of his party"? Or will he play up that he's a proud conservative and always has been? (Can he get away with both?)

My guess is the McCain people are polling right now to see what works best.