McCain Now Playing Not to Lose

A study is out today, no joke, that shows one-third of John McCain’s advertisements are now negative ads attacking Barack Obama instead of focusing on his own qualifications for president.

I already addressed this topic this week but do so again because McCain has released another sorry ad likening Obama’s celebrity to that of Britney Spears. Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.) said today on MSNBC that if you had shown McCain such an ad, even a matter of months ago, he would have said no, that is beneath him — I couldn’t agree more with Ford. This comes on the heels of McCain’s accusing Obama of skipping his visit with wounded soldiers because he wouldn’t be allowed to bring the press, and so instead went to the gym. All untrue — and therefore so very beneath McCain.

Readers of this blog know I believe McCain is a politician with faults, but a man of humility and honor. But I am surprised that he would be willing to win this way. The truth is, it might work. With enough questions to feed the doubt, racism or whatever other resistance we know is out there, Obama just may not make the sale. Obama is clearly running a better campaign in a strong Democratic year; that is indisputable. But the tight polls, and lack of bounce after his flawless trip abroad, illustrate the challenges he faces in the national electorate.

McCain lost in 2000 and in an improbable comeback — actually two comebacks, since a year ago he was history — he has won his party’s nomination. As his mother said, Republicans have “held their nose” and given him this shot. He cannot “win” this race with these tactics, but he may be elected if he helps Obama lose. I didn’t know McCain would be unwilling to stand on his own, as he has his whole life, or be willing to sell out this way. It sure looks like he is.

SHOULD OBAMA ATTACK BACK OR IGNORE MCCAIN’S INCOMING FIRE? Ask A.B. returns Wednesday, Aug. 6 — Please join my weekly video Q & A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-staging.thehill.com. Thank you.