The Hiller Instinct: Hiller Instinct: John McCain

More than six months after he announced he was running again, John McCain is still struggling to recapture his old New Hampshire magic.

In 2000, he owned the Granite State, beating George Bush and winning the primary here. But now, polls put him in third, which is not good enough to keep his candidacy alive.

"True or false, you have to finish in the top two in new Hampshire to keep going," Andy Hiller asked the Arizona Senator.

"I would say that is very true, but, look, I'm going to win New Hampshire," responded McCain.

McCain has been hurt in the Republican race by his pro-immigration and pro-campaign finance reform positions.

And then there's his age. Now 70, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated if he's elected, though he exaggerated it a bit at a forum this week

McCain said, "I’m older than Frankenstein."

"Is it possible that you're just too old in America's eyes to be president," Hiller asked.

McCain responded by saying, "You know, that doesn't come up with people who see me. In other words, when they go to town hall meetings, it's not an issue.”

McCain has resurrected his campaign with strong performances in the debates-

"Let me tell you, if we're going to get the high ground in this world we're not going to torture people," McCain said.

"I'd like to see the questions more focused on the priorities that Americans have, particularly on healthcare on education."

And like many voters, when McCain looks at this race, he sees a question mark.

"If you're not the next president, who is” Hiller asked.

"I don't know the answer to that," McCain said.

I don't know whether "times make the man" or "the man makes the times," but it doesn't look to me like 2008 is John McCain's time. But it does look to me that the presidential race would be much less without him in it.

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