McCain's Kitchen Sink

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The past few weeks, you may have noticed something different about this year’s Republican presidential candidate. The man who has deplored negative campaign tactics through most of his political career has turned his campaign, well, excessively negative.

But is this a good idea or a bad idea?

To preface, let me be clear in saying this edition of Good Idea, Bad Idea is not an endorsement of any candidate, party, persuasion or ideology, but rather an examination of campaign strategy as it relates those who would want to see John McCain win this year's election.

Back toward the end of the Democratic primaries, people decried then candidate Hillary Clinton's "kitchen sink" approach, that being, using every available route of attack against Illinois Senator Barack Obama in order to bring him within striking distance.

It didn't work. Mostly because he turned the heat up highest around the May 6th Indiana and North Carolina primaries, which were, in effect, the clinchers for Obama. However, it cost Hillary Clinton points among rank-and-file Democrats, and, though she landed a few good jabs, it just made her defeat all the more frustrating for everyone.

Well, the past few weeks, it seems Arizona Senator John McCain has picked up that same kitchen sink, and hucked it at Obama all the same. He's cried and complained about Obama's "lipstick on a pig" remark, brought up every possible connection to any person Obama may have ever known, and his running mate, Sarah Palin and him, have both been carrying on about how Obama is, "palling around with terrorists."

So what's the verdict? Bad Idea

Senator McCain, your most solid, saleable brand in politics has always been as the wise leader who keeps his head above water, and stays above the fray. You had a reputation of doing so yourself, especially during your 2000 campaign. But this year, frankly, it seems you have been paying attention to too many political advisers and people who are, frankly, out for the political equivalent of blood.

And it wouldn't be so bad if the associations you were attacking Obama on weren't either vague or meaningless to begin with. During his ad titled "Chicago Machine," McCain criticized Obama's connection to frequently investigated Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. However, as FactCheck.org has pointed out, the only connection between Obama and Blagojevich, is that Blagojevich is the governor of Obama's home state.

That's it.

And the Ayers connection is almost as specious. FactCheck.org has said, several times, that Obama's connection to Ayers more resembles a connection to a former co-worker than either a supporter or, much less, a "pal."

In the end, Senator McCain, for a person who said, "I will not take the low road to the highest office in this land," it seems your campaign took a wrong turn on that road roundabout Albuquerque, and it's leading your campaign into a hole it may not be able to emerge from.

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