I've spent the better part of my career defending murder cases. As any good defense attorney will tell you, there's always a point when the prosecutor will waive the bloody pictures from the crime scene at the jury and get under their skin. Believe me, it's tough to walk your client out the door after that moment.
But every once in a while, the prosecutor overplays his/her hand. The bloody pictures come out one too many times, and the jury starts to realize that the pitch is pushing their emotions just a little too far, and they resent being manipulated. At that point, they open their minds to the possibility of the defendant's perspective and, if the facts permit, you might just see a not guilty verdict.
McCain and the GOP's repetition of the POW story went on many times too many. We, the jury of the American Public, will concede the fact that his experiences in Vietnam were horrific and his conduct exemplary, but we will also understand full well that the intent was to manipulate rather than to persuade.
My prediction is that McCain will get his just due for his honorable service and sacrifice in Vietnam. We will all respect him when this process is done. But our verdict will go to the more authentic and honest persuasions of Obama.