McCain has had a nice, long Democratic primary and a conversely short Republican one to observe Obama and note his weaknesses. The media treating Obama with kid gloves actually hurt him, because he still can't take a punch well. Obama will try to muddy the waters with identity politics, bringing up the Keating Five scandal (to which McCain can point to reform) and attacking McCain's war record (Obama surrogate Rockefeller already started it) and his age (as Ms. Rubin pointed out.)
There is plenty more dirt on Obama, but McCain doesn't have to dig for it. It'll all come out in the wash, and McCain will go on to the White House smelling like a rose. He just has to go on his actual record as a bipartisan leader, portraying himself as the maverick who courageously defied his own party, and hammering away at Obama on policy. The personal politics should be kept very subtle, and it should work like a charm.
McCain has had a nice, long Democratic primary and a conversely short Republican one to observe Obama and note his weaknesses. The media treating Obama with kid gloves actually hurt him, because he still can't take a punch well. Obama will try to muddy the waters with identity politics, bringing up the Keating Five scandal (to which McCain can point to reform) and attacking McCain's war record (Obama surrogate Rockefeller already started it) and his age (as Ms. Rubin pointed out.)
There is plenty more dirt on Obama, but McCain doesn't have to dig for it. It'll all come out in the wash, and McCain will go on to the White House smelling like a rose. He just has to go on his actual record as a bipartisan leader, portraying himself as the maverick who courageously defied his own party, and hammering away at Obama on policy. The personal politics should be kept very subtle, and it should work like a charm.