In his New York Times column today, conservative Bill Kristol says McCain is gearing up for defeat:
John McCain is on course to lose the presidential election to Barack Obama. Can he turn it around, and surge to victory?
He has a chance. But only if he overrules those of his aides who are trapped by conventional wisdom, huddled in a defensive crouch and overcome by ideological timidity.
Of course, Kristol says McCain can still win -- by hammering on Obama's "liberalness" and ties to Jeremiah Wright. But it's hardly an inspiring lede coming from a McCain supporter.