In the meantime, McCain faces the immediate task of rebuilding his credibility after his triple loss on Feb. 29. Some analysts say they understand what he was trying to do, but felt he went a little over the top. And, they add, if McCain sees himself as the true heir to the mantle of Ronald Reagan, a title that Bush also claims, then McCain may consider the manner in which Mr. Reagan forged his governing coalition. Reagan did it by addition, by putting together economic conservatives and social conservatives. McCain is doing it by subtraction, which is to kick out the religious right.
History shows that addition is generally the successful way to do it.
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