After seven-plus years of lies, deception, annihilation of civil liberties, ineptness and Karl Rove-speak, John McCain’s plain talk, service to our country, and moderate voting record on many issues is, by all means, refreshing.

But there’s little doubt what the GOP nominee’s political platform amounts to, at least from what we’ve discerned in recent weeks. This about sums it up …

NOTE: This was created by and is property of journalist and cartoonist Andrew Wahl. Visit his blog, Off the Wahl, for many more classics like this.

His “independent streak” makes him a strong general election candidate, but John McCain should probably try to distance himself a little from George W. Bush and offer more than an unenthusiastic defense of the status quo.

Or maybe he shouldn’t. As Democrats, we embrace this campaign theme - from the correct side of it - as a talking point all spring, summer and fall.