I got that, what you didn't get
Is that those previous comments cost him a chance at beating Bush. As I said there is no politician out there that isn't willing to compromise that I know of who has a shot at leading the party. The iconoclasts get shoved to the side. It makes it hard to get elected if you piss any interest group off a lot (ask Kerry-general 04, Lieberman - primary 06). I think you can make a case for Lieberman being more principled than McCain, but please tell me who you think is more moderate and willing to buck pary group think in the Republican party than McCain who has a chance to lead it. The issue isn't who is the most moderate, it is taking control of the parties away from the fringes and toward the center.
Regards,
Mark