Georgia On My Mind

Do not be surprised if the conflict in Georgia is dragged out on into November, for while this “October Surprise” may have occurred in August, it is entirely plausible that feet will be dragged and more sabers will be rattled for the next two months. Remarkably, despite being generally incoherent, intentionally belligerent and all the while running one of the most poorly organized and ill coordinated campaigns in recent memory, John McCain remains within striking distance of Barack Obama. The McCain campaign seems to have gambled on and won their wager that the American people for the most part would not pay much attention to his fledgling campaign until the fall, when perhaps it might actually buckle down and stay on message. This can already be seen in McCain honing his relentless attacks on Obama’s patriotism (that is, lack thereof), and how Obama wants the US to “lose” in Iraq, essentially entailing treason.

It was unfortunate that Obama was essentially forced into participation at Rick Warren’s mega-church, mega-presidential forum or whatever over the weekend – religion has not exactly been his friend this campaign cycle, what with it being insinuated that he’s a Muslim and his ties to Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger, etc. etc. I didn’t watch the event but I did happen to catch Warren tossing McCain softball, Larry King-style questions: “What is your definition of marriage?” (Union between only man and woman… applause) “What is your position on abortion?” (It should be outlawed… applause) The best was when McCain managed to tie together his devout belief in Christ to his POW experience in ‘Nam; anything to summon the good old POW days.