McCain will not pander his military experience for a couple of reasons. (1) he has already done a thorough job of documenting his Vietnam experience and (2) it would be a two-edged sword, cutting both ways, as a lot of people feel that his wartime and post-war experience leave a lot of room for criticism.

After the conventions, you will see some SwiftBoating of McCain by some very unhappy Vietnam vets. Anyone who is interested can google and bring up stuff that is not complimentary to his military aura, but the site below links to both sides of the McCain story, though it is basically negative on him.

http://www.farfromglory.com/john_s_mccain.htm

I would say, his Iraq support, his surge promotion, his 100 years of war wish, bomb bomb bomb Iran, his flip-flop on torture, all will make McCain not too eager to appear as a warmonger, even though he is just that.

His job is to run on a war platform without looking like he is running on a war platform. But he will seldom if ever talk about peace. The closest he will come in Iraq is to talk about reducing the violence, and then occupying the place with no end in sight. That is not peace.

He has two sons serving in Iraq whom he does not mention, but that is a two-edged sword also, as using them in his campaign could be seen as cynical and pandering.

On net balance a lot of people will vote for McCain because of his war experience (totally irrelevant to my view), but at least as many will not because of his eager-for-war outlook (very relevant in my view).

Posted at May 10, 2008 8:34 AM in response to Big Pro-Hillary Third-Party Group Won't Be Funding Ads In West Virginia

ALP is a 527. By law, 527's cannot campaign for a specific candidate. The Obama campaign I believe has filed a suit for them to cease and desist in promoting Clinton. 527's are supposed to be "public interest" organizations meant to provide political information and may be party-oriented but to use them to support a specific candidate is illegal. Legally they are not supposed to fund any "ads on her behalf" as Greg reports.

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/02/complaint_filed_against_procli.html

I think Greg is being less than forthcoming in not reporting this aspect of ALP's decision. The complaint may be in fact a contributing factor to the groups holding back on their efforts in West Virginia.

Posted at May 9, 2008 9:47 PM in response to Big Pro-Hillary Third-Party Group Won't Be Funding Ads In West Virginia

In a very informal online poll at HuffPo, the top three vp choices are in order: Webb, Richardson, Sebelius. Her name has been out there a while. Whether you agree or not, she is most likely on Obama's short list.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/09/obamas-vice-president-who_n_101001.html

Posted at May 9, 2008 9:31 PM in response to McAuliffe: Joint Ticket Would Be "A Great Idea"

Hilary no, Kathleen yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHp90Z2NJk

Posted at May 9, 2008 8:49 PM in response to McAuliffe: Joint Ticket Would Be "A Great Idea"

The Dems could use a woman on the ticket. Best choice to my thinking is Gov. Sebelius.

Posted at May 9, 2008 8:36 PM in response to McAuliffe: Joint Ticket Would Be "A Great Idea"

OOPS!

"Wilson's main point has been that it was easy for Obama to oppose the war because he was not actually in the Senate to vote for it."

I meant "to vote AGAINST it."

Posted at May 9, 2008 5:29 PM in response to New Hillary Ad Stars Joe Wilson And Valerie Plame

I can't blame Joe Wilson for wanting a position in another Clinton administration. But because of that I have never been able to see his vitriolic criticisms of Obama as anything like objective. They were in fact pure hatchet-jobs going far beyond fair criticism of Obama.

Wilson's main point has been that it was easy for Obama to oppose the war because he was not actually in the Senate to vote for it.

On the other hand, he maintains that Hillary was duped by Bush into voting for the war. Wilson has never explained why she has never repudiated her vote for the war afterwards.

Ironically, this very day, former Sen. Graham of Florida said Hillary lost the primary because of her vote for the war.

Posted at May 9, 2008 5:24 PM in response to New Hillary Ad Stars Joe Wilson And Valerie Plame

I understand she is forwarding her bills to Obama's campaign.

Posted at May 9, 2008 4:41 PM in response to Obama's Super-Delegates Keep On Coming

Ganghis: A grateful nation thanks you. Oh, and that includes hardworking white folks from tough districts.

PS: Please do what you can to make this presentation viral.

Posted at May 9, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Clinton's Real Electability Powerpoint

Tsk, tsk. Shame on you.

Posted at May 9, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Obama's Super-Delegates Keep On Coming