Oh, it’s a beautiful day.

Congressman Shadegg laughed openly at the McCain “Danged Fence” ad on Morning Joe.  His reaction mirrors a lot of what I’ve seen and read across the blogosphere and my own.  Throw in some incredulity, and it about sums it up.

But there was some headway made in all of this.  The laughter.  There are people openly laughing at the Danged Maverick.  What he’s attempting here is so patently obvious, it’s hilarious.

It’s also a good time to illuminate a huge point.  This ad demonstrates the essence of McCain’s “maverick” politics:  principle was never involved.  At the time, he simply believed acting the way he did would curry favor with the media and moderates, who would then make him President.

In short, it was “poke conservatives in the eyes” for fun and profit, politically speaking.  He thought it would get him what he wanted, so he did it.  Now, the Tea Parties are demonstrating an aptitude in causing involuntary retirements, and he wants to keep his job.  Hence the Danged Waffle on the Danged Fence.

Seriously, how will we find people to pick the Danged Lettuce?  His ten-point plan will stifle that…at least until the Arizona primary is over, and it goes in the nearest wastepaper basket.  Then again, maybe his polls will tell him it’s best if he stays the hard line on immigration, and we’ll see some consistency from him on this for another week or two.

As for the laughter?  Keep it up.  You can ride hard on a politician’s ego and their sense of entitlement with mockery.  They may grow numb to the anger and criticism, but to be made laughingstocks?  No.

And to be sure in this case, we’re all laughing at McCain, and not with him.