Here at CPAC, there are lots of folks still in recovery. I'm still getting getting used to the idea of McCain as our nominee.

But let me offer this.

I'm beginning to think Obama might be the easier candidate for McCain to beat. Why? Because there could be no clearer contrast on the Commander-in-Chief test.

Obama has been the best marketed candidate of my lifetime. That means (I suspect) that anyone who would be attracted to Obama has already come to him. He's got general election sized crowds and general election sized money a couple of months early.

Hillary is in the impossible position of having to beat down the Democrats' very real desire for "hope" and "change." McCain will just disregard those sentiments and argue on experience, building a base among Republicans and independents for whom experience actually matters (Hillary has no such base among Dems).

And then he'll ask the question: Who would you trust as Commander-in-Chief? And it will be no contest. Voter discontent with Iraq (which has been abating of late) aside, people like a Commander-in-Chief who acts like a Commander-in-Chief, not one who will have tea with Hugo Chavez.

Hillary denies McCain this angle of attack to some extent. Obama leaves it wide open.