In a world short of conviction politicians, Mr McCain's Straight Talk Express has its charms.

ECONOMIST: The presidential campaign

The McCain campaign tossed him under the Straight Talk Express, which was harsh but politically wise.

ECONOMIST: The economy: the problem

Now, the wheels have fallen off the straight talk express and he is starting to say let's extend them.

NPR: Obama Stresses His 'Electability' Versus GOP

He'll launch a bare-bones insurgent effort, traveling the state on his Straight Talk Express bus and numerous holding town hall meetings.

NPR: McCain Nearly Broke, but Stays Course

He hired a smart media guy in Mike Murphy, who was last seen riding shotgun on John McCain's Straight Talk Express.

CNN: Rudy's soulful exit

But the bright people's enthusiasm for Mr McCain runs much deeper than this, and extends to those who have never set foot on the Straight Talk Express.

ECONOMIST: The man who healed the Vietnam wound

John McCain who today officially announced his presidential campaign -- not to be confused with the announcement he made on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in March or his "Straight Talk Express" tour two weeks later.

CNN: Can McCain campaign get traction?

And somewhere along the line, the straight talk express lost some wheels and now he is in favor of extending Bush tax cuts that went to some of the wealthiest Americans who don't need them and we're not even asking for them.

CNN: Transcript of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate