6. Ruth Marcus

Ruth Marcus is a journalist who currently writes an op-ed column for the Washington Post. In March 2007, she a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in commentary. The Pulitzer board cited "her intelligent and incisive commentary on a range of subjects, using a voice that can be serious or playful."

"Every campaign calls on the candidate to calibrate, at some point, how far he is willing to go in pursuit of the prize...

Sitting on the couch with the women of "The View" last week, McCain offered a litany of excuses for his conduct this time around: Obama's ads are hard-hitting, too. The tone wouldn't be so negative if Obama had agreed to more debates. McCain's own lipstick comment was different because he was referring to health care.

You had to wonder: Are there any corners left for McCain? Is there any reason to trust that a man running this campaign would go on to be an honest president?"