Responsible Republicans and Patriotism

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) gets it. He recognizes that it does not serve McCain well to run ads attacking Obama's patriotism, especially when the charges he levels at Obama can be just as accurately turned around. It is incendiary and slanderous to suggest that Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign." But what choice does McCain have? McCain is desperate.

At every turn he has been outflanked and outperformed by Obama. He is completely outclassed, and is demonstrating his desperation by the negativity of his attack ads. I'd be willing to bet that prior to Obama's cancelled troop visit, the McCain camp was probably preparing to attack Obama's patriotism for using the troops as a political prop the same way McCain does. The sad fact is that McCain is at a loss for ideas and solutions. His sole positive attribute and distinction is his military service. Everything else he suggests is either a continuation of Bush's cabal or a rewrite of Obama's ideas.

Fortunately there are some responsible Republicans like Chuck Hagel who recognize that whichever candidate takes over as President Jan 20, 2009 will have a great deal of challenges to overcome, not the least of which is fallout from the divisiveness we've all witness over the last eight years (read "I'm a uniter, not a divider"). Just months from now the new President is going to need everybody to work together. So why is McCain trying to divide us? Could it be he'd rather sacrifice our future than loose a campaign?