This isn't terribly surprising, but it's noteworthy: Judging by a new statement McCain just put out slamming Obama, the McCain campaign has clearly made an internal decision to ratchet up its efforts to portray him as not just weak, but as vacillating and indecisive.

This is the real goal of the McCain campaign's attacks on Obama for favoring habeas corpus for terror suspects -- to make the argument that McCain represents clarity of purpose while Obama represents indecision and legalistic obfuscation. Remember the Kerry wind-surfing ad?

Versions of the words "vacillate" and "indecisive" were much more in evidence on the McCain campaign conference call this morning than in past calls.

And McCain's new statement attacks Obama's comment yesterday that we shouldn't make Bin Laden a "martyr" by saying that it sent "a signal of confusion and indecision to our allies and adversaries." McCain added: "Let me be clear, under my administration Osama bin Laden will either be killed on the battlefield or executed."

In other words, just as it did in 2004, the GOP is going out of its way to say that the Democrat's position is unclear and legalistic, even if it is every bit as clear as McCain's, which it is. It's an obvious psych-out. McCain's full statement after the jump.

Late Update: Oh, Lord, this is a good one. Instaputz reminds us that this actually represents a softening of McCain's position: After all, McCain had previously vowed to follow Bin Laden to the gates of hell. Video here.

Senator Obama is obviously confused about what the United States Supreme Court decided and what he is calling for. After enthusiastically embracing the Supreme Court decision granting habeas in U.S. civilian courts to dangerous terrorist detainees, he is now running away from the consequences of that decision and what it would mean if Osama bin Laden were captured. Senator Obama refuses to clarify whether he believes habeas should be granted to Osama bin Laden, and instead cites the precedent of the Nuremburg war trials. Unfortunately, it is clear Senator Obama does not understand what happened at the Nuremburg trials and what procedures were followed. There was no habeas at Nuremburg and there should be no habeas for Osama bin Laden. Senator Obama cannot have it both ways. In one breath he endorses habeas for terrorists like 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and in the next he denies its logical conclusion of habeas for Osama bin Laden. By citing a historical precedent that does not include habeas, he sends a signal of confusion and indecision to our allies and adversaries and the American people.

Let me be clear, under my administration Osama bin Laden will either be killed on the battlefield or executed. Senator Obama's failure to comprehend the implication of the Supreme Court decision he embraced and the historical precedent of Nuremberg raise serious questions about judgment and experience and whether Senator Obama is ready to assume the awesome responsibilities of commander in chief.