MCCAIN DRAIN. John McCain's transformation from straight-talking bipartisan swoonee to unpopular far-right Republican warrior proceeds apace. The latest evidence of his dwindling bipartisan appeal: Former Howard Dean webmaster and EchoDitto founder Nicco Mele, who last August got untold amounts of guff from his liberal netroots cohort after he signed on to help McCain build his internet operation, has walked away from the increasingly divisive senator's campaign operation. Turns out the McCain Mele knew and admired from his pre-Dean Common Cause days wasn't the one running this go-around. No word yet on if he'll sign on with one of the Democrats.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
