We all know the quote. If you don't, I'll spare you the pointing and laughing:
Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.
"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
More after the jump
So Rick Davis says this is not about issues, but about the candidates themselves. You know what? He is absolutely, 100% right. It is not about the issues, it IS about the candidates. But what do you call a candidate who:
- Authorizes the same torture techniques used on him in Vietnam during his POW capture?
- Champions tax cuts he spoke out against before they passed?
- Names a VP candidate who is knee deep in the graft and corruption of the GOP's single most corrupt state delegation?
- Calls a friend a guy who eight years ago spread rumours about his children and family to beat him in a primary?
- Votes down bill after bill to fund the Veterans' Administration, or to offer soldiers help?
- Votes against making sure every child has sufficient medical coverage?
- Perpetuates the same discredited trickle down economic theories that have caused recession-like conditions the last 8 years?
- Befriend prejudiced evangelical preachers he denounced years prior?
These are all "issues". These are all policy points. But they point to a man bereft of character, who will prostitute himself happily to get elected, and will take the most extreme, immoral stances in the service of his getting elected.
This is what the Obama camp needs to do. Take Rick Davis' advice. It IS about the candidates. But wow, the issues offer quite a window into one candidate, doesn't it? Make that final connection for the American people, with the same defiance shown in the great DNC acceptance speech. A guy who does these sorts of things (let alone approve a campaign ad far worse than the Willie Horton one) is NOT an honourable person. He is not someone you want to have a beer with, and he is certainly not someone you want in charge of a Dairy Queen, let alone your country.