How long before McCain realizes he isn't subject to the Clinton rules, and can indulge in whatever slams and cheap shots he likes without repercussion? My own guess is he'll publicly decry the nastiness, but essentially shrug and say he can't do anything about it, and be lauded for his principled impotence. It'll be easy for him to do, since this sort of stuff is the absolute staple of a major part of the Republican base, and would go on with him or without him -- but he could still do something about it, if he chose. But he won't choose. If he starts getting his ass handed to him he'll even get nasty himself, and maybe -- maybe -- then he'll be criticized some, but only because he's getting his ass handed to him -- journalists are pack animals, and love piling on the loser in a fight like this.