Visiting Iowa before the election, Senator John McCain was asked a question in public. How would he react to the Democrats taking over the Senate this November?

His answer was a bit startling: “I think I’d just commit suicide,” he said. Everyone laughed. He then added that, “I don’t want to face that eventuality because I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Well, the second statement is incoherent, but we know what he meant: it was so unlikely that he wouldn’t face the possibility now. Of course, now it’s happened!

I often oppose McCain’s biggest hobbyhorses, such as his never-ending campaign to control, with regulations and prohibitions, campaign spending.

I prefer freedom of speech. As a person pledged to uphold the Constitution, so should he.

But I do have something to say as the nation goes on suicide watch. Please, Mr. McCain, don’t joke about taking your own life. If you want to emphasize the extremity of your commitment to GOP political dominance on Capitol Hill, then why not say something like “I’d rather support term limits.”

That way, when things happen like the Democrats taking control, you won’t be tempted to harm yourself, you could simply carry through by doing something you find distasteful . . . but beneficial to the country.

A term limit isn’t death. There’s life after service in one seat. And not only do you go on, but the country goes on, renewed.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.