It's a Three-Man Race: Obama vs The Two McCains

"How honest are we if we tell the truth most of the time & stay silent only when telling the truth might get us fired or earn us a broken nose? We need moral courage to be honest all the time."

Those words were written by John McCain in his 2004 book Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life.

I couldn't agree with them more. I just wish John McCain did. Not the John McCain who wrote them in 2004; the John McCain running for president in 2008. There's a big difference.

When Barack Obama finally secured the Democratic nomination over Hillary Clinton, we all thought it was down to a two-man field. Obama vs. McCain. But it's turned out to be a three-man race: Obama vs the Old, Honorable McCain and his political doppelganger the New, Unprincipled McCain.

After a month dominated by the new-but-definitely-not-improved McCain, it was actually a bit of a shock to see the John McCain so many of us fell in love with in 2000 make a rare appearance at the Rick Warren forum the other night. Engaging, easy-going, able to connect his incredible life story to his view of the world. Hearing him tell the story of how he and Cindy came to adopt their youngest daughter Bridget, you could almost forget this was the same man who for much of the summer has been running a disgraceful, dishonorable campaign.

And even this rare appearance by the old McCain was tainted a bit by the "cone of silence" dust-up (particularly his campaign's ridiculous use of the former-POWs-never-lie defense), and the question of whether McCain lifted his moving "cross in the dirt story" from Solzhenitsyn.

Sightings of the old McCain are becoming more and infrequent. He was there at the beginning of the race, when he pledged to run a "respectful campaign" -- and when his campaign manager, Rick Davis, penned a memo vowing, "Throughout the primary election we saw John McCain reject the type of politics that degrade our civics, and this will not change as he prepares to run head-to-head against the Democratic nominee."

But it did change. And so did those steering McCain's campaign. In July, Davis was replaced with Steve Schmidt, a protégé of Karl Rove. Schmidt's nickname is "the bullet," and it's not just because of his bald head -- he practices the kind of politics that shoots for the head. You bring in guys like Steve Schmidt for a reason. And McCain has gotten exactly what he's paying for -- what Joe Klein (a great admirer of the old McCain) calls the "quadrennial Republican scum festival that begins in August of every presidential election year."

So what acts are on the Scum Festival lineup this year? Ads comparing Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, the claim that Obama "would rather lose a war that we are winning than lose an election," and the claim that Obama hasn't "put his country first."

As Klein asks: "We've got two wars, an energy crisis, an economy teetering on the edge of real serious trouble -- and this is the campaign John McCain wants to run?"

Apparently. And those were just the opening acts on the Schmidt-apalooza scum-fest. Witness McCain's response to the Swiftboat-inspired The Obama Nation. A few years ago it would have been almost impossible to imagine John McCain being the sort who would "stay silent" about something as sleazy, sordid and dishonorable as Jerome Corsi's pack of lies.

In fact, McCain did worse than stay silent; he laughed it off as a big joke, suggesting you "gotta keep your sense of humor." (HuffPost's Seth Colter Walls has more on McCain's increasing use of the "it was only a joke" excuse.) After it was pointed out that this was, perhaps, a less than honorable response, McCain sent out his spokeswoman to clarify that her boss had misheard the question.

Sure he did.

Well here's another question (and I'll type as clearly as I can so McCain doesn't misread it): what would the John McCain of 2000 -- a man who was viciously smeared by the same gang now doing his bidding -- think about the John McCain of today? Back then, John McCain didn't think libelous smears were such knee-slappers.

That McCain would want the media to stop pretending that the old McCain is still around and tell the American people the truth: that the John McCain of 2008 is willing to countenance dishonorable slurs, lies, smears and slanders to make it to the Oval Office.

Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff

Comments

[laylahb]

This is why the Repugs have won almost every election since Nixon. From Nixon's Lee Atwater, whose student was Karl Rove, to Steve Schmidt, Rove's protege. It's getting ugly and filthy, but we're not even close yet. Wait until October.

Speaking of which, this week the U.S. Federal Court Judge in Chicago extended Rezko's sentencing hearing to October 28th, exactly one week below the election. Bush/Gonzales appointed Judge. Coincidence? Nah, not in this country, not in this Administration

[Questinia]

Bluster is such a good way to define McCain's posture. He now appears to have accessed his soldierly past by squaring his jaw and brow. He's been conscripted by the Republican army.

[Godfearing]

It appears that Senator McCain has only three issues to bring to the November presidential election. One is to continue the Bush/Cheney Administration income tax cuts for the very rich, although they have increased the National Debt to $9.6 trillion and throwing the country into an economic mess. Two, continue to enrich the military industrial complex and their lobbyists, which potentially could bankrupt the U. S. Treasury by staying in Iraq indefinitely. And, three, continue his attempts in taking away women's reproductive rights by over-turning Roe v. Wade to patronize his bible reading voter base. Although, Senator McCain is pro-life in campaign rhetoric, he is pro-death in his decision to go to way! You can't make fighting soldiers out of aborted fetus'.

[mouselion]

Will the real McCain please stand up.

[The Keeper]

It's a shame, but I'm almost glad that the New McCain is showing up now. After all, it's better that we see his true colours now rather than after he moves in to the Oval Office.

[ndchicago]

The BIGGEST problem with the McCain houses hoohah is that it shows he has no clue even about his own household (s) budget, yet he's asking us to trust him with our hard-earned taxpayer money to devise and manage a many trillions federal budget in a period of fiscal crisis, nationwide and worldwide, thanks in huge part to the spendthrift ways of Bush-Cheney. Whatever happened to the good old days of the GOP, party of fiscal conservatism, pay-as-you-go et al? We need a president who has good (not the Graham duo), not on the take, financial advisors who understand globalization as well as hometown pocketbook issues.

[anneinwa]

Thanks for the outstanding post. For those of us who remember the John McCain of 2000, it's difficult to believe he would "sell out" to win ANY office... BUT HE DID!

I think the title of your article would make a great campaign slogan for Barack...

OBAMA vs. The Two McCains

It truly does seem like a "Three Man Race" - I wonder who will show up at the debates???

[Davwbaird]

His true character is revealed?

[boing007]

... the Schmidt-apalooza scum-fest. Witness McCain's response to the Swiftboat-inspired The Obama Nation. A few years ago it would have been almost impossible to imagine John McCain being the sort who would "stay silent" about something as sleazy, sordid and dishonorable as Jerome Corsi's pack of lies. In fact, McCain did worse than stay silent; he laughed it off as a big joke, suggesting you "gotta keep your sense of humor." (HuffPost's Seth Colter Walls has more on McCain's increasing use of the "it was only a joke" excuse.) After it was pointed out that this was, perhaps, a less than honorable response, McCain sent out his spokeswoman to clarify that her boss had misheard the question.

It's time to swiftboat McCain so hard that he'll never get back on his feet again. Every speck of dirt that can be found on McCain. Then, and only then, will I nod my head in agreement the next time Joe Biden says that Obama has a steel spine.

[The Keeper]

Hey, let's not sink to their level.

[JSquercia]

Yes GOD FORBID we use tactics that WORK . I say go after McCain with Everything we've got . Point that someone who voted 95% of the time with Bush is NOT ,I repeat a Maverick . Hit him hard on his economic policy and his connection to Phil Graham who helped create the montage of Deregulation that has given us the S&L scandal (keating five ring a bell) , Enron (where execs cashed out while workers were locked in) and of course the NEW Banking Crisis caused by undoing the Regulations put in by the New Deal to create a wall between Investment Banks , Inurance Companies and Commercial Banks . Let's replay his advice to those people about to lose their ONLY home to not go on vacation and to get a second job all the time running his own inability to remember HOW MANY homes he owns . Show him urging a vote against the Bush Tax cuts as too favorable to the wealthy while urging even bigger Tax benefits for the wealthy . Contrast THAT with how HE personally would fare under his plan and under Obama's
Finally revive Harry and Louise . This time Harrry is stunned to find that even with the Tax credit he will be losing money as it will be far more Expensive to Insure himself and his family than under his employers plan and to top it off have Louise discover that SHE due to a preexisting condition is unable

[Carolyn207]

Based on all the lies that John McCain has told against Barack Obama, for instance, the one about proper air pressure in tires will save gas as Obama's entire energy solution, I don't see the honorable John McCain. Based on McCain's negative rhetoric I see someone who is attempting to remove the focus from the fact that he has no innovative ideas to move this country from the economic plight which has thousands of Americans losing their homes, retirement funds, and savings. Is everything a joke to John McCain? Maybe this comedic view of current American strife is all we can expect from someone who cannot connect with the majority of struggling Americans. After all, we're just a bunch of whiners, according to one of McCain's economic advisors. I don't see McCain as a leader in touch with middle-class hardships. McCain has taken items right out of Obama, Clinton, and Bush's playbook. Where is the originality? And that business about not being in the "cone-of-silence" proves that McCain will do anything untrustworthy to win an election. The American people had better wake up. We can't afford to have another inept person like McBush to set us back another four years, like the last eight, under failed Bush policies.

[Revrob56]

Let's not forget Hillary and Bill who are working with the McCain's. We will forget them as far as future input in the party unless they amend their terrible ways.

[abrevaderci]

At least McCain has the huevos to want to debate. Obama runs away from any town hall like the plague. Why? Because he has two issues. He can't put three words together to make a sentence. Consequently he can't formulate verbage to cover up what his real goals are if he made it to the presidency. And the other one is he has no deeply held convictions. Just look how he has thrown any and all friends under the bus along with all his primary commitments. Lets see. Iraq, oil drilling, dropping the healthcare issue, the list is endless. Why is he dropping in the polls? He is dropping in the polls because people are finally seeing beyond the MSM mask. The fact is when you step in the front door of Barack Obama you're in the backyard. There is just nothing there.

[novowel4me]

This is a pretty silly post, McCain needs to debate with himself over the many positions he has reversed in order to pander to the right wing of the GOP, specifically the so-called christian right. Finally, I would defer to that "great american" Sean Hannity regarding McCains fitness for office “If you can’t keep a promise to your family, can’t keep a promise to your wife, you’re having an affair, you’re lying about the affair repeatedly. Why should the American people trust you when you say you’re not gonna lie to them? Why should we trust you?” of course he was talking about Edwards at the time and got a little flustered when it was pointed out to him McCain dumped his first wife for something young and rich.

[BlueAsh]

Excellent post, Arianna!

[Yasir]

Whether you hire esquire or ire the entire empire is on enquire!

[happyboy]

John McCain should be ashamed of the slimey direction his Presidential campaign has taken under Karl Rove's minions, but certainly not surprised. This is not a campaign that will address the issues facing the next President, but a campaign about personal degradation by Republican spin masters, just as 2000 and 2004. The difference is that people will not respond as they did in the past two elections, I believe. They have witnessed eight years of rediculously inept administration and don't want to give Republicans another four years of the same. I don't know if Democrats have all the answers, but I'm certain that Republicans don't. I'm hoping for an Obama Presidency and a working Democrat majority in Congress next year.