[Ross] Niall Ferguson suggests that John McCain is the only candidate "battle-hardened" enough to understand the importance of sea power. Isaac Chotiner points out that Ferguson isn't exactly a neutral observer - like James Carville with Hillary and Samantha Power with Obama, he's both a pundit and part of the kitchen cabinet of the candidate he's boosting. (See also Matt Yglesias on this topic.)

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.