I think this is a shot across McCain's bow.

Obama's basically saying "If you want to get down and dirty, then I will get down and dirty too."

I'm certain Obama has a lot more dirt on McCain but is holding back for fear of going negative and particularly when he hasn't needed to thus far. But I don't see any holding back if McCain steps up the personal stuff.

Exclusive: Obama to hit McCain on Keating Five - Mike Allen - Politico.com

It's a pity that McCain seems to have decided to go negative.

Luckily there's enough evidence of his lack of judgement for the Obama campaign to use.

I reckon McCain's decision will rebound on him.

He may not have done anything criminal in the Keating case but it definitely showed poor judgement.

His gambling also shows he's reckless - not a quality that's desirable in a president.

Everyone should read the NY Time article on Saturday about Obama's links to see how toothless the Ayers story really is. The board they served on was financed by the former US Ambassador to the UK (appointed by Reagan). The Ayers guy was working in the University I was working in.

You mean you associated with a terrorist?

You mean a terrorist associated with Simbo? (Just kidding Simbo.)

Why do you hate freedom evildoer?

If McCain did not go negative this close to the election, being behind in the polls with the banking crisis hanging around his neck, then I would question his judgement. It is campaigning 101.

If McCain stops the negative adds between now and election day then you will know he is raising the white flag and he is looking to bow out with some dignity.

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FIANNA FAIL - THE PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY PARTY.
Our 2010 election motto: "Every emigrant is one less vote for the opposition - keep it up boyos"

Except that going negative isn't going to work.

It didn't work for Hillary Clinton and it's not going to work for John McCain.

Going negative simply confirms his lack of judgement.

Going negative certainly worked for Obama against Hillary Clinton - of course it helped that most of the media were happy to follow his campaign's lead.

__________________
FIANNA FAIL - THE PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY PARTY.
Our 2010 election motto: "Every emigrant is one less vote for the opposition - keep it up boyos"

Obama should stay the hell away from negativity - he can beat the McCain-Palin freakshow without it.

Word on the street is that Obama's campaign is populated by a lot of young Democrats made militant by the Bush years and still very, very bitter about the swift-boating of John Kerry, and are so determined not to allow it happen again that they are chomping at the bit to unleash hell on McCain.

While understandable, this is actually the wrong moment for this approach. Fact of the matter is that Palin's absolutely ludicrous "terrorist" smear on Obama was said in a different political aeon to the swift-boaters - Americans simply don't believe this crap anymore, and the Obama people should have the wisdom to see that a solid, positive, unfussy campaign is the way to go. Thankfully, and to his credit, I think the candidate himself realises this.