Naturally, the people who created, or benefit from, or are simply comfortable with the old Republican order have fought bitterly to block McCain. Like all defenders of old orders, they play up the destructive side of their opponent and deny the existence of any constructive side. McCain hurts his own cause with his occasional recklessness. But that is the nature of creative destruction. It is sometimes reckless.
Destruction induces anxiety before creation can inspire confidence.
Furthermore, some McCain opponents insist there is nothing wrong with the status quo Republican coalition, at least nothing so wrong that it couldn't be fixed by putting an attractive person like George W. Bush at the top. In some ways Bush has as strong a claim to the reformer mantle as John McCain. He did achieve tort reform and education reform in Texas. But already in this campaign, he has been saddled with the old Republican coalition. If he is the nominee, Al Gore will be sure to hang its most inflammatory symbols around his neck.