There has been a growing amount of frustration among the blogs regarding why Obama's team has not responded in kind to McCain's attack ads. The theory being that a couple of those ads would get McCain to lose his temper and blow up. The theory is correct....but not the timing.
First of the theory behind any campaign is to win in November...not early August. And the weaker your opponent is the better the chances are for that November victory.....and in this election season the Dems want to win big....really big. McCain is just the sort of GOP opponent that candidates dream about....and GOP supporters nightmare over.
However, if you 'blow him up' prior to the Convention then the conservative side of the GOP will be able to easily run someone else from the floor and get McCain to go on medical reasons. The GOP then steals the 'change' mantra by saying 'look what we did...we brought in an even newer face....' and the Obama team has to shift gears for a new opponent.
So..if you just trade jabs...throttle back....let McCain stay close in the polls, then he goes into the GOP convention as the presumptive nominee and the GOP would be hard pressed to not go with him without totally fracturing their party with a knockdown floor fight on national tv.....which they would not want...tv would...but not the party.
Then it's "See you in September" when the Obama team, pretty much jogging right now, ramps up and takes McCain out for the proverbial walk. Couple of temper tantrums....some financial problems....and then a blowup/tantrum/meltdown at the first debate. The GOP would now be locked in and have to ride the dead horse into the sunset of their party....and the Dems get their sweep....on steroids.