The *easier* explanation is that he's really Wormtongue. . . .

Strange McCain Post-Debate Moment Caught In Photo
The Huffington Post | Nico Pitney | October 16, 2008 03:57 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ 20...t_n_135325.html

One of the comments on it was quite arresting:

"AS A PSYCH NURSE FOR OVER 30 YEARS, I BELIEVE MACAIN EXHIBITS TARDIVE DYSKENESIA. TARDIVE DYSKENESIA IS A NEUROLOGICAL SIDE EFFECT OF LONG TERM US OF THE OLDER ANTI PSYCHOTIC MEDICATIONS SUCH AS HALDOL. THE MOST CHARACTERISTIC TIC ASSOCIATIED WITH ANTI-PSYCHOTIC MEDICATION IS THE INVOLUNTARY TONGUE THRUST. OTHER TICS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTI-PSYCHOTICS ARE EXCESSIVE BLINKING AND JAW GRIMACE. IT IS UNMISTAKABLE AND IRREVERSIBLE. I TOLD A COLLEAGUE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THAT I THOUGHT MCCAIN HAD TARDIVE DYSKENESIA AND HE AGREED." --bluewater32

Here's some more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Tar...dive_dyskinesia

Indications for Haldol:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/ generi...haloper_ids.htm
(notable use: schizophrenia)

Side effects of Haldol:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generi.../ haloper_ad.htm
(just like blueater32 said)

Certainly if McCain were suffering from schizophrenia and suffering the undesirable side effects of the medicine to boot, that would explain an awful lot. It also should disqualify him from the presidency, I think, although it should inspire a certain degree of sympathy.

Alan in CA [Thank you!!]