Do you think Obama is hesitating to hit McLame hard is

because he's an old man? Obama is a gentleman of the first order and I'm wondering if there is a hesitation on his part because of this. Of course, the old man has no problem being nasty, dishonest and a liar. Perhaps Obama needs some prodding and convincing in this area. Old man or not, McCain needs to be ready to take what he gives. The more he runs to the media with complaints the more I like it. They're bound to get sick of him sooner rather than later. We need to start pushing that old man, one-term meme. I want him antagonized and testy.

Old man McCain, yeah, that's the ticket...

Unfortunately sometimes it is.

We can't just go out and call him "old." But we can play the GOP game of dog-whistling, and then say "you wound me, sir" if anybody tries to complain about it.

The GOP is awesome at that little game. We could play it too.

the clever bit where some independent group puts up a more direct (but possibly more offensive) ad, like "We concerned citizens are concerned that McCain isn't telling us everything about his health, and you know he's no spring chicken."

Then, the GOP goes apeshit, and Obama says he's very, very disappointed in Citizens Concerned About McCain's Age, and that he absolutely does not affiliate with them, and he hopes they will behave better in the future, etc, etc etc.

But now it's Out There, as the GOP loves to say.

We really, genuinely should do that kind of thing. It works.

Paraphrasing here, but Clinton said that he didn't think Dole was too old, but that Dole's IDEAS were too old.

It was a fair shot, and it applies equally to McCain.

Obama wants to make sure that people get to know him better before he really goes after McCain. That way the attacks will have more credibility. Just speculating but I think the attacks will get stronger after the convention. I'm really hoping that the people who are speaking at the convention will go after McCain in their speeches. That was a big mistake the Kerry campaign made with their convention. They didn't attack Bush enough and I think it made the party, and the candidate, look soft.

That's going to go by in a hurry. If Obama has any ammo he intends to use, I hope he starts unloading now.

Many American's agree with him. It's unfortunate that we ever have to stoop to this level in America. I hope to live to see the day that enlightened discussion replaces negative "Diss"-throwing contests!

because he finds them 'distasteful.'

for one simple reason: we can use them and tell the truth.

As far as "negative" goes...I truly don't think Obama will go first.

I don't see his factual ads as "negative"! How is telling the truth negative?

But, to run an ad that is very negative without any provocation? I truly don't see Obama as this kind of campaigner. Now that the "Rovians" have joined McCain's team...we'll see a lot of crap coming out of his campaign! (This is disgusting and I hope Obama NEVER stoops to this level!)

as far as "firing back to correct McCain's lies," I also agree that Obama has been playing better defense than either Kerry or Gore did. Which makes me happy.

But it's still defense.

McCain will be hung by his own words and actions - Obama does not have to 'play dirty' and make up or exaggerate Anything.

so all those years of experience McCain claims to has a double edge to it. Material galore!

Lovin' It!

"McCain will be hung by his own words and actions - Obama does not have to 'play dirty' and make up or exaggerate Anything."

We heard the same b.s. during Kerry's campaign.

And Obama won more votes for McCain when he said at the VFW convention:

"I have never suggested that Sen. McCain picks his positions on national security based on politics or personal ambition,"

That's a lie. McCain does exactly that! Why put lipstick on a pig?

"I have not suggested it because I believe that he genuinely wants to serve America's national interest."

More bull shit! Obama doesn't really believe that, does he? If you don't believe that why say that and help McCain?

"Now it's time for him to acknowledge that I want to do the same."

McCain will never do that. Wake up and smell the coffee! Go after the sob where he should be at his weakest. The issue of war and more wars .... so-called "national security". McCain wants to drag this nation into a war with Russia, Iran and any other country he doesn't like!

Tell it like it is or you can follow the John Kerry road to defeat!

I still believe Kerry had bad advice and took it - mostly from the Clintons. Now that doesnt' excuse him, he should have known better.

and I feel pretty confident that Obama will not be following the same advice :P

The way I look at it, it's kinda the same thing.

The Convention will be next week. That's when the Obama drumbeat will begin and the Fall theme will emerge to tie McCain to Bush like a hammer to an anvil.

Aside from political junkies like those of us here at DU, I don't think too many regular people pay too much attention in mid-August when so many are on vacation or watching the Olympics.

Sure McCain has had a bit of a bounce. Obama was on vacation for a week, McCain has money to burn right now that he must use up because he can't use it for the general after his convention. That's why he is now outspending Obama in some areas. All of this will change starting with the conventions.

"Sure McCain has had a bit of a bounce."

Bit? Obama should be leading by double digit points at this stage and should win the election in a landslide.

He won't unless he begins campaigning against McCain.

by trying to knock out the other guy too early.

It takes a lot of jabbing, a lot of body blows to wear him out
until.... pow, down goes McDentures. But it's not gonna happen until
the last round.. when McCain will have no hope of recovery.