I love DailyKos like I love an old friend. Which is to say, I love it for both its good qualities and accept its limitations.
As a result, I still have to accept that many of us are emotional people (myself included) that often suffer from a lack of perspective. FISA comes to mind here.
I'm not going to get into what bothers me about the response to Obama's decision, nor will I share my feelings about it either, because it's done. People on all sides have a reason to be upset and disappointed, but it is, as economists put it, a sunk cost. We can't get it back.
Nothing more can be gained by rehashing it.
But what I do not want to lose is my grip on the larger picture. And the big news today is that we figured out what the Swiftboat of 2008 is going to be.
Let me say another way: We know what they are going to do.
Through holding such a large lead, Barack Obama actually made the Republican Borg mind say uncle, because it revealed its ultimate goal for the general election.
And they have removed its element of surprise.
Don't believe me?
Republicans might have a reason to smile: John McCain and his allies seem to have finally settled on a way to draw a stark contrast with Barack Obama.
After weeks of criticism from Republicans about the leisurely pace at which they seemed to be preparing for the general election, McCain’s campaign has apparently settled on a highly personal campaign theme that aims to differentiate McCain and Obama on both character and issues.
The strategy: Paint Obama as conventional politician who always takes the safe and easy political road, then amplify the distinction by framing McCain as a patriot, somebody who has put sacrifice above self.
There it is. That's it. That's the big, ugly secret swiftboat that's supposedly going to derail Senator Obama.
You might say, why is this it? Why is this the vehicle through which the slime will pass?
Because it has Karl Rove written all over it. It's an attack at Obama's strength while covering McCain's weakness, just like the Swift Boat Vets did.
They will try to tie Rezko to it, and his leaving the TUCC, and that will be it. That will be the barrage of 527 ads.
But you know what?
We actually know how to fight it this time. We've got the Culture of Corruption, and the GOP stinks like a rotting fish.
So you know what?
Not all is lost. Take a breath. We are in a good position this year.
And now, we fight.
Never get complacent. Never surrender.
But guess what? Their hand has been forced.