David Gergen missed an obvious point re Obama's grandmother

On AC360 he said that Obama being off the trail gives McCain an opening to get back in the news while his opponent is away. I agree in one sense, but disagree in another.

What I think Gergen misses is the message Obama's decision sends regarding his character. It's the antithesis of what McSame did with the bailout stunt. Obama leaving the trail is a completely selfless and noble "family first" decision and it will resonate with some folks who are on the fence. I think it speaks to who he truly is.

Obviously Obama would just assume not be going through this, but it seems a little ironic that it could end up being an opportunity to show - yet again - the quality of his character in what is obviously a painful situation for him personally. I guess the world turns in strange ways sometimes.

On edit: This was inspired by a call from my conservative Republican mother who was quite moved by this news. She likes Obama, and will probably vote for him, but she went on and on about this tonight. It clearly touched her.

compared to others he's OK, but he ain't all that, IMO.

Some days he's right on.. And other days.. not so much.

If McCain tries some crazy new smear while Obama was with his extremely ill Grandmother, he'd look even worse than he does already.

Not to mention, just because Obama is "off the road", doesn't mean Biden and the rest of the campaign aren't around to respond.

It's not as if the campaign will stop, anyway; this isn't exactly Taft vs. Bryan. This is the internet age, and the campaign can be run from a distance, and you can bet Michelle Obama and Joe Biden will be out there filling the gaps at rallies on the ground.

But this sad event does help Obama tell his story... I think Andrew Sullivan put it well today when he wrote, "There is more 'Kansas' in Obama than many Americans realize."

It will also make McCain/Palin look vicious and petty as they slash-and-burn away. They won't change a thing about the way they're campaigning, while the rest of us look on and truly feel pain for Obama, as he says his final goodbyes to the woman who helped to shape him into the President he's about to become.

I absolutely hate looking at this in political terms. But it's a necessity. All of my best wishes and intentions are with Barack Obama and his family in this difficult time.

This decision won't hurt him with the grandma vote here in FL. And if McCain doesn't get off of the negativity crap, he'll lose even worse.

... even though Obama may be off the campaign trail for a few days, he'll very much be in the news cycle with this family crisis.