There've been a few polls suggesting a new uptick in support for John McCain, particularly in New Hampshire, which is a state kind of suited to his politics and one where he beat George Bush in 2000. But maybe there's more to this.

There's a new ARG poll out tonight that shows something pretty striking.

ARG has McCain tied for first with Romney. Both are at 26%. And in Iowa, ARG has him in second behind Huckabee. Huck 28%, McCain 20%, Romney 17%.

Let me stipulate all the standard 'just one poll' caveats. But these aren't in a vacuum. This is the first poll that's shown McCain in anything like that kind of position in Iowa, though he's been trending up modestly. In New Hampshire though, that poll has good company. The three immediately previous public polls for New Hampshire all have McCain over 20%; and one of those three actually had him at 27%.

Meanwhile, today's Fox News poll has him in a three-way tie nationally with Huckabee and Rudy.

There are two big obstacles McCain has in front of him, at least two -- his recent embrace of immigration policies that are completely anathema to core Republicans and the general dislike many, many core Republicans have for him.

On the other hand, if he can put together surprise victories in these early primaries, there is simply no way to overstate the deep well of adoration, tacit support and general desire to fluff that McCain will be able to draw from within the Washington press corps. And even those core Republicans who've never been crazy about him will breath a elemental sigh of relief that they've got a candidate of stature, experience and ability rather than a freak, a goof or a Ken doll.