1.   Even the liberal Democrat who occupies the White House these days espouses welfare reform.

2.   McCain painted himself as an establishment outsider, a war hero espousing campaign reform and denouncing the straight-and-narrow arbiters of American politics.

3.   McCain has painted himself as an establishment outsider, a war hero espousing campaign reform and denouncing the straight-and-narrow arbiters of American politics.

4.   At the very least, the hoopla could detract from the seriousness of an administration that espoused reforms but has been criticized as lacking substance.