Far be it for me to advise the Obama campaign on what to say at Wednesday's debate--they've got that well-covered, obviously--there is one response, one salvo that will sink the S.S. McCain for good. That is Obama's rebuttal to a McCain statement like:
Senator Obama was friendly with a domestic terrorist named William Ayers. And that goes to Senator Obama's judgment. I think it's fair to ask the question, and I think we all owe it to ourselves to ask the question: just who is Barack Obama?
And that is Barack's opening to put an end to the disgraceful McCain campaign. What he should say is below the fold.
"While our economy continues to crumble as the result of 8 years of Bush/Republican policies, John McCain wants you to focus on my relationship with a man who did despicable things when I was 8 years old. Never mind that the charity board that William Ayers and I sat on was started by Walter Annenberg, a former ambassador and friend of Ronald Reagan. Never mind that there were plenty of Republicans on the same board. Never mind that the lead prosecutor against William Ayers' group finds this whole line of attack ridiculous. Never mind that I have denounced the acts of the Weather Underground in no uncertain terms.
"I think America has gotten to know me pretty well over the last two years. They have seen that I know how to stay calm and focused during a crisis, like what we've experienced the last four weeks. They know that I keep my composure when attacked with the types of smears used against John McCain by Karl Rove in 2000. They know that my campaign is about ideas and solutions, not fear. And they know that I don't attack first, but that if I am attacked, I respond quickly and forcefully.
"The better question is: who is John McCain? Because the John McCain of 2008 is not the John McCain of 2000 that so many people, including Joe Biden and me, admired.
"The John McCain of 2000 would have sought to lead a united people through a difficult crisis. The John McCain of 2008 seeks to divide us by appealing to our hatred and fear.
"The John McCain of 2000 was smeared by the despicable lies of Karl Rove and George W. Bush. The John McCain of 2008 hired Rove's and Bush's disciples to do the same to me.
"The John McCain of 2000 would have confronted people in his crowds who shouted things like "Kill him!" or "terrorist!" and thrown them out. The John McCain of 2008 says nothing.
"The John McCain of 2000 would have selected the most qualified person to be his vice-president, someone who could step into the job on Day 1 if, heaven forbid, it was needed. The John McCain of 2008 put politics, not competence, first.
"The John McCain of 2000 would have been a source of calm and reassurance to a frightened people during a difficult time. The John McCain of 2008 has been erratic, changing his positions and strategy on a daily basis to score poltical points.
"And finally, the John McCain of 2000 would never--NEVER--have sacrificed his honor to win an election. But the John McCain of 2008 has. I don't know about you, but I am saddened by that. And I think the American people are as well."
UPDATE
Rec List? Thank you! Several commentors have suggested sending this on to the Obama campaign. I confess that I have no idea how to do that, although I have done some oppo research for them on energy issues. That has followed a chain of command that probably wouldn't work for this. My assumption is that they have key people that check in on DKos peridocally, as this site is an amazing source of good ideas and news. But if any of you know how to get this into the hands of the campaign, please do so, by all means...