When John McCain announced his candidacy on TV, critics focused on his statement that America had “wasted” the lives of our fallen heroes in Iraq. The Senator has already apologized for these remarks, but a bigger mistake involved his decision to launch his campaign on the David Letterman Show. The upcoming election involves fateful choices – the most significant race since 1980. McCain is a serious statesman who courageously, consistently stood up against Islamo-Nazi terror, Congressional corruption, run-away entitlements, and wasteful federal spending. Why, then, choose to begin a campaign about values and national survival with an appearance on a silly, late-night comedy show? His decision looks especially misguided when combined with his refusal to address the Conservative Political Action Conference. All other Republican candidates spoke to CPAC, but McCain didn’t want to “pander” to conservatives. Instead, he pandered to David Letterman and his audience, who don’t count as likely backers of McCain – or any other Republican.