The Plank

by Walter Alarkon - 08/13/08 9:20 AM ET

A new poll has John McCain up by four percentage points in Florida, which is right about where he should be, writes Nate Silver. There’s nothing wrong with U.S. officials making it clear that they value ties to Georgia and oppose Russia’s expansionist impulses, but they must make it clear to Georgians what the United States can commit to doing, writes Josh Patashnik. Ambiguity may have led Georgia to believe it could take military action and receive protection against Russia, according to Patashnik.

Tags John McCain