John McCain has shown outright anger at questions regarding the integrity of his campaign. He also flashes barely contained rage at Obama, not able to look him in the eyes during the debate, and essentially cold shouldering him in the senate.
I have heard the theory that McCain needs to demonize his opponents, but I think there is a better explanation, that goes to McCain's resentment over not getting to choose the terms of this campaign.
McCain has stated several times that there would not have been a sleazy campaign if Obama had simply agreed to that townhall meeting format he requested this summer.
So it seems likely McCain blames Obama for "forcing" him to sully his honor by running this campaign of lies.
This is just so terribly childish.
Is it fair to assume your opponent will come to fight you on the battlefield of your choice?
Did Washington come out and fight the British in direct army to army battles? No, because he was at a disadvantage there.
But this delusion seems ingrained in McCain's way of thinking. He seems to imagine that Al-Qaeda will one day come out and fight us in direct military conflict. Why else would he think more troops on the ground is the answer for everything?
In fact, this seems like a common right wing fallacy, that we can make our opponents fight us on our own terms. They never seem to think you can win a fight diplomatically, or culturally. Nope, we got big guns, so let's fight them that way. And when the opponents melt away to fight on a more level playing field, they first crow over victory, and then are all so shocked as the guerrilla war begins.
Now I know Obama could beat McCain in any format of debate, but really John, is his refusal to do your bidding a valid excuse for your throwing away all the credibility of your entire career?
Apparently so, but John is okay with that so long as he can justify it by saying it's all Barack Obama's fault.