A Fine Democratic Whine

Democrats are at it again, whining that the Republicans aren't playing fair and spreading lies about them through a compliant media.

This reminds of of the story that took place years ago at the Paris peace talks to end the the Vietnam war. It is said that an American general met with his North Vietnamese counterpart. "You know," said the American, "You never beat us on the battlefield." The North Vietnamese looked at the American and replied, "You are quite right. But what you say is also totally irrelevant."

The democrats are quite right that the republicans are playing dirty.Yes, the Republicans are lying about Barack Obama and his "pig in lipstick" statement, as well as other positions that the Democrat has taken in the pastas well as positions taken by Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin.

And it is all quite irrelevant.

The Republicans are engaging in classic Lee Atwater/Karl Rove smear politics. The Democrats are defending themselves by releasing position papers. I have written many times that the electorate likes to get the "warm fuzzies" about a candidate. But in this dangerous world, the electorate also wants to know that their candidate will also prevail in a knife fight in a dark ally, and here is where the Democrats, specifically Obama, fail. Oh, he looks cool, and he talks great, but on a gut level what do you think he would do in an alley fight? Do you think he will serve legal papers on his opponent or do you think he will kick his foe in the balls and gouge his eyes out?

Obama has to stop reacting to the 24 hour news cycle agenda, which is currently being set by McCain, as he forces Obama to react to his charges, however outrageous they might be.

Obama is known for his love of sports, especially basketball. I would love to tell him that the sport here is boxing. Not Olympic style boxing which is won on style points, but American boxing which demands a knock out. Obama has to demonstrate that he has the the ability and desire to bite off a nose or rip off an ear for the sake of gaining the presidency. Otherwise, no one will feel confident enough to have him face heavyweight KGBer Vladimir Putin in the ring that is world politics.