Who Stepped Up: As political campaigns come and go, so do political promises. A good political consultant narrows those promises to those that, by their very nature, make the candidate look good and the opponent look bad.

McCain’s advisors, and sometimes even McCain himself, have floated the notion of 4 years and out for the Presidency.

On the plus side, it energizes McCain’s image as a reformer. He can say “I’ll get things done in 4 years and not 8″ and play a little Ross Perot, since Perot made the same pledge years ago.

It may help defuse the age issue. Adding 4 years to his current age doesn’t have the same bite as a Democratic attack adding 8.

It also positions himself well against Obama, who seems to have been running for President since he took his Senate oath. McCain can look like he’s taking the job out of duty and public service, and not in some planned power grab.

On the down side, it focuses some attention on McCain’s age issue. Pledging to only serve one term might encourage some to ask “will he get to have a choice?”

On balance, it would be a wise political move. It would quickly get many many Republicans working hard for McCain, knowing that the 2012 slot would still be open if he wins.

Remember this! Back to back 2-term Presidents of the same political party just don’t happen in the modern era. McCain’s folks recognize this, and may have given him the perfect way to win independent voters, who care more about accomplishments than rhetoric.

Just think of the Presidential Debates. McCain pledges one term. Obama? Obama will get trapped in looking like he’d want every last minute of those 8 years being President, and America won’t like it.

McCain should make the pledge.