CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- Here's what Barack Obama said at the top his remarks on energy security:

"We want to have a serious debate. But so far, we've been hearing about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I do have to ask my opponent: is that the best you can come up with? Is that really what the election is about? Is that worthy of the American people? Even the media has pointed out...that McCain has fallen back into ... predictable political attacks and demonstratively false statements... Spending all this time talking about me instead of talking about what he's going to do. That's not going to lower your gas prices. That's's not going...to help you find a job if it's been shipped overseas. It doesn't do a single thing to help the American people. It's the politics of the game. But the time for game-playing is over. That's why I'm running for President."....

The Obama campaign cancelled one of its several visits with troops during his overseas trip because of fears the trip would appear political.

Of course, McCain has lied his way into a growing media backlash by claiming Obama cancelled the visit because he couldn't take cameras in with him. For his campaign, it was all an attempt to create a narrative:

McCain's advisers said they do not intend to back down from the charge, believing it an effective way to create a "narrative" about what they say is Obama's indifference toward the military.

But here's a revelation that, while not exactly sourced impeccably, makes a lot of sense given the direction the McCain campaign has taken:

What the McCain campaign doesn’t want people to know, according to one GOP strategist I spoke with over the weekend, is that they had an ad script ready to go if Obama had visited the wounded troops saying that Obama was...wait for it...using wounded troops as campaign props. So, no matter which way Obama turned, McCain had an Obama bashing ad ready to launch.

The McCain campaign is foundering. With a crappy product to sell, its strategy is the same one an already unpopular Bush employed successfully in 2004 -- attack, attack, attack and try to drag down the Democrat even lower in people's minds. As Obama said:

I don't pay attention to John McCain's ads, although I do notice that he doesn't seem to have anything very positive to say about himself, does he?

He doesn't. There isn't anything positive to say. And as much attacking as he's doing, it isn't working so far. All he seems to be doing at this point is pissing off his former buddies in the media

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/31/11815/3951/565/559804

Great article by kos. This former surgeon should be ashamed for politicizing the troops, as should the McCan't campaign.

Anyone else seen Jon Voight's amazing editorial in the Washington Times? It might be the most bat-shit crazy ranting by a right-winger I've seen in years. Who wants to talk to McCain about being unable to control his own celebrity endorsers?

McCain needs to stop using the troops for his political gain. They are wounded and disfigured only because he voted to send them to fight a war based on lies.

I hope the entire McLame campaign goes as racist as they are just itching to.

I really do - that will guarantee that turnout will explode beyond anyone's expectations and they ain't going to be voting for McLame.

McFuddle dazzled the crowd today w/ his statement about the celebrity ad...He is such a genius and makes all proud to be a GOP American!

"We are proud of that commercial," said the presumptive Republican nominee. "There are differences and we are drawing those differences. But what we are talking about here is substance and not style. And what we are talking about is who has an agenda for the future. Campaigns are tough but I am proud of the campaign we have run I am proud of the issue we have tried to address to the American people. And I wish Sen. Obama would join me to discuss this."

Obama ..."Is that the best you got"

"the Pentagon would not allow campaign staff or media to accompany him into the hospital"

repeating falsehoods again...

what a shame.

Um, TPM? Has the Obama campaign responded in any way?

I wonder if they'll jump into this with "I want a president, not a celebrity" pins. There's plenty of space in the "I'm not bitter" memorabilia landfill for them.

This response is lame...

May be I'm too concerned, but the entire episode is turning ugly for Obama. Thanks to McCain and MSM coalliation- They're succeeding painting Obama as presumptous arrogant celebrity. Now the race card.

Is Obama camp doing the right thing? McCain has succeeded in turning all the blame game, the attacks, the controvesy and choas on Obama. While McCain escapes any scrutiny- Obama is shaping into a front and center punching bag.

This Sucks.

Guys, you are going to love this!!

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/christopher_beam_presents_this.php

It's amazing how quickly someone on the internets puts something like this together.

how come nobody talks about all the blaring negatives in mccain's past? not exactly a saintly figure, nor the ideal family man. but its all off limits i suppose. is there anywhere in the county that anti mccain ad's are running?