How about: “John McCain: Stood up to the North Vietnamese, but caved to James Dobson!”

Palin has already made two strikes…

The first was attacking Obama for his comments about the bombings of civilians in Afghanistan. Something that Secretary Gates and General McKiernan also decried and apologized for. The essential view, of course, is that one uses air-strikes when you don’t have the necessary ground troops. And that more special forces and intelligence facilities avoids attacking people because someone involved in a feud, or a grab for poppy fields, or a warlord or an al Qaida mole using the USAF fighters to kill a government ally , might be supplying intel.

And maybe hunt up a few similar comments by McCain re. Somalia, Bosnia, etc.

The second strike was the much discredited “friendship” between Obama and Ayers. But I think that Obama needs make a swift swivel to really go after McCain’s opposition to the anti-terrorism clinic protection acts after the over 100 bombings/arsons, and murders of several clinic doctors and nurses. Show links by McCain and Palin to those who didn’t think much was wrong with these attacks, or were “expected”, or who put “wanted ads” up on the internet. Palin herself was seen protesting at the Wasilla clinic where abortions were performed, and was scheduled to attend the NARL convention as keynote speaker.

There is this. Lets face it. McCain is dangerous. Look at what Josh posted from McCain’s Des Moines Register dustup.

Are Obama’s honesty, judgment and associations above question? Is questioning these things filthy?
I’ve followed politics a while and it has occurred to me that few politicians are without serious flaw.
If you have information showing that the content of Obama’s character is unalloyed gold and markedly superior to that of the “once-honorable” McCain, please share it.
Otherwise, what are you talking about? Name one presidential election since that of Andrew Jackson that hasn’t raised character questions?

Again,I tell you,McCain is sinking in the wreck of the economy. Again, I tell you that you’d be an idiot to let the Republicans bait you into taking the focus off the economy. You’re right about the McCain campaign being desparate. Keep hitting them where they’re hurt.

Questioning filthy? No. Attacking based on juking reality? Yes.

Humans all have flaws, indeed. How “serious” they are deemed seems to be a matter of perception. For instance, I do not see Sen. Obama serving on an organization’s board for which Ayers spoke once as a questionable association. Neither do I see his association with Rev. Wright as damning because I know what Rev. Wright actually said. I believe Sen. McCain is juking reality giving those who cannot bring themselves to vote for Sen. Obama an excuse.

Obama’s character? I judge it to be superior because he hasn’t carried on an affair in public disposing of a wife in the process, hasn’t exercised poor judgment in aiding Charles Keating, hasn’t publicly told colleagues “Fuck You,” and above-all, hasn’t chosen an ill-equipped ill-prepared ill-informed ill-spoken simple-thinking mannequin to replace him in the event he is unable to carry out the duties of the office of the president for the sake of the office alone. Perhaps you judge character differently, as is your right to do so.

I would prefer Sen. Obama’s campaign stay above the fray, though it is increasing apparent that it may be impossible to do so. I agree with you, though, that hammering Sen. McCain on the economy should be a definite road, though I’ve been around too many people who relay negative Republican talking points, that have nothing to do with issues, like scripture.

I’ve got absolutely nothing bad to say about O’bama’s character, nor do embrace the McCain campaign.
Personally, I disagree with of what you’re saying, with the excepting the part concerning McCain’s sex life. I look forward to the day when the American public learn to take their noses out of places that noses belong only by invitation.
I’m trying to question Spencer’s apparent outrage at a routine tactic, however incendiary, used against a politician. A tactic that’s designed to turn the campaign into an emotive one in the hope of using misdirection to turn the people’s outrage and fear away from the Republican party.

Sorry for the typos, I promise not to try to eat and think concurrently after that mess.

I think you’re saying you don’t disagree with me, except re McCain’s sex life, correct?

Point though. I’m not speaking of his sex life, and thanks for putting that picture in my head. No. I’m speaking about his honor. How Sen. McCain behaved was not a very honorable way to end a marriage contract. I know the heart (and now thanks to you the creepy picture of other body parts) wants what it wants. However, judging his character on how he goes about achieving his desire I posit is fair game. Further, it indicates what his character will allow as acceptable in other arenas. At least, that’s my take.

Spencer? You crack me up. And scare me a little.

Scorched earth regarding McCain wouldn’t be my preference, but as I said above, it may be unavoidable if the presidency is to be gained. It makes me a bit queasy, though. And angry that Republicans always accuse liberals of not having the stomach to win, and I’m queasy.

Thank you for understanding my garbling.
I take your point concerning McCain’s conduct being open to question. Isn’t everyone’s?
However, I’ve got to keep saying that getting emotionally engaged in a campaign where McCain’s going to lose on the issues is not good in ANY way.
I fear that Spencer is willing to engage in a mud fight because such tactics have worked for the Republicans in previous elections. This time its a loser.

I loved the theme from Rolling Stone: McCain’s life story is Dubya’s story.

* Prominent families
* Lousy performers in elite settings
* Fratboy party animals
* Bush crashed businesses, McCain crashed planes
* Careers built on family name & other peoples’ money
* Say and do anything to get elected
* Incurious and impatient

The singular difference? Age. Bush + 20 years = McCain

Closing line: Eight years ago a over-privileged, under-performing fratboy went to the White House. Can we stand 4 more years?

The other approach is to follow the Rovian playbook — go after his heroism.
* McCain was shot down after ignoring orders to avoid missiles. Nothing has changed since: He would rather gamble for personal glory than knuckle down to build long-term solutions.
* Six hundred plus men returned from POW camps. How many of them are still banking on their heroism? How many consider themselves more qualified for a job because of it? How many insist their heroism makes them beyond reproach?

Bose:
Also, how many people pimp their service like McCain does? Very few, if any. It’s Biden’s line against Rudy only replace 9/11 with POW. McCain cheapens his own service.

Digby says John McCain is the guy George Bush is pretending to be.

Except even George Bush didn’t left his first wife crippled while she waited for him to return from POW camp.
Given the chance, he might have. Perhaps he views it as a missed opportunity.

Also, Vicki Iseman.

And Amy Lumet.

Except even George Bush didn’t left his first wife crippled while she waited for him to return from POW camp.

To be fair, she might have been a bitch when he left. Christ, she might have been the reason he refused release from that cage.

I had a friend who was going to break up with his long-term girlfriend one weekend, then she got hit by a car on the Friday. That happening wasn’t really a reflection on him.

The other approach is to follow the Rovian playbook — go after his heroism.

Yeah, because that’s just reflected so well on Rove ever since. As Clinton said, he gave everything for his country except his life. Go there if you like.

* McCain was shot down after ignoring orders to avoid missiles.

This may be the stupidest thing ever posted on this blog. Congrats.

I say: fine. If the McCain campaign wants a war — if it wants to get filthy…

That ain’t filthy. They’re talking about Ayers and that was a legitimate enough topic for the front page of the NYT. Either way, it’s a pretty toothless issue since it’s all but been debunked, not the kind of terrorism anyone cares about and 40 years ago.

Seriously, every month of the year for the past 7 years you can hear someone claiming unchallenged that there have been no terrorist attacks on the US since 9/11. The reason those anthrax attacks didn’t count is the same reason this won’t, skin colour. This is no different than eco-terrorists. Sure they exist, but who really gives a toss. Wake us when they convert to Islam.

You’re running a black candidate from Chicago against the GOP FFS. This is by no means worthy of the term “filthy”. I can’t tell you the kind of vile shit I’ve expected to see about him and so far haven’t. In fact, it’s been pretty damn tame.

I read Neiwart over at his own blog and if you actually familiarise yourself with the kind of right-wing hate out there, not only will it put this stuff into perspective, but you’ll probably be surprised he hasn’t had to duck a bullet yet.

Considering the times were are entering, do you really think this country would hold together if your last sentence came true? I know those clowns in Denver were basically let off with slapped wrists, but my guess is they are still being followed. And didn’t the Swift Boaters go after Kerry’s heroism? We see how well that worked. We aren’t saying Obama needs to go there. That is what 527’s are for. Did you see McCain’s session with the Des Moines Register last week? Doesn’t that look like someone with anger management issues?

No, that’s just stupid. 527s are Obama. Try finding me a Swiftboat reference in the past 4 years where Bush wasn’t blamed for it. Shit, look no further than this blog…. 8 million comments here, you think there’s one gave Bush benefit of the doubt on that ?

McCain is what he is. A guy behind in the polls with a month to go with very obvious flaws and disadvantages in policies which can lose him the election, his Vietnam war experience not being one of them.

Seriously, why would you even consider this other than a blogger just told you what to think ? This amounts to am out-of-the-blue foot-shooting exercise for a candidate who is currently the likely winner.

McCain is going there because he’s losing and got nothing else to do. Either that’s Obama’s only chance too or it’s a dumb fkn move. You’ll notice that those refs to Swiftboat from 4 years ago are dated all the way up to today. That’ll be something you wear through his whole administration.

BTW, in honour of The Stupidest Attackerman Comment Ever, I’d just like to point out that JFK would have received briefings on the dangers of assassination, which he recklessly ignored when being shot.

Hey, Dont you dare award the Stupidest Attackerman Comment Ever just yet buddy, I’m just warming up.

Do we all have to stop commenting now that the award’s been bestowed?

As the comments are usually more intelligent and considered than the blog posts, mayhaps not.

Hey have at it if you like, but I don’t think either of you got that kind of game to bring.