Dear Barack,
I know you're on vacation, so I'll keep this brief.
Last week, John McCain previewed his election strategy, otherwise known as slanderpalooza. The MSM did what they always do, which is to serve as a bullhorn for the lies, rather than an antidote. McCain's poll numbers went up.
Let me put this bluntly: you're going to lose this thing if you don't strike back with genuine moral outrage. You're going to get typecast. It's already happening. Every time you try to dignify slander by answering in that reasonable tone of voice it happens a little more.
I get that you're worried out about appearing "too angry," lest you rile up our nation of closet bigots. But just step back for a second: McCain has called you a traitor and a lightweight and a racial whiner. He's trying to turn this into a brawl, because that's his only chance. And you know what? The media is in the tank with him on this. They want a brawl, too. This is why they publicized the unconscionable smears against Gore and Kerry.
The reason those two guys lost is because they failed to accept the underlying dynamics of political coverage in this cruel and frantic age. They got mugged in broad daylight and reacted with careful statements and disgusted sighs. If John Kerry had simply turned to Dubya during a debate and called him a poor little rich boy coward who got his daddy to keep him of the war, he'd have crushed that little turd. But he didn't.
So you've got two choices here. You either punch the bully, or you get punched. If you're defending yourself, you're losing. You need to start releasing ads that show Americans McCain's own words and deeds.
And for God's sake debate the guy. Remember: you cream him on policy. So get on a stage with that doddering coot and force him to explain why he said we'd be out of Iraq in months, and why he wants to extend Bush's tax cuts for millionaires, and why he's lying to Americans about off-shore drilling bringing gas prices down. And ask him why Americans should trust him when he's beholden to big oil. And why they should trust him with economic issues given his involvement with the Keating Five. These are all parts of his political record, Barack. He should have to answer these questions. The media isn't going to make him. You have to. The voters will love it. They've been waiting years for Strong and Right to vanquish Strong and Wrong.
And if McCain slanders you in a debate (he will) don't act all cool and collected. Look him in the eye and tell him he's full of shit. Say it however you like, but say it like you mean it. If he starts whining - and conservatives always whine when they get smacked - call him a whiner.
It's a rotten thing to face, but there's no high road here. If you want to save this country from the misrule of venal operatives, you're going to have to allow moral outrage to be the source of your eloquence. I'm sorry to say it's not enough to be smart and compassionate. You're going to have to get tough to rescue us. So roll up your sleeves, Senator, and hit this guy hard, over and over, with the truth. It's your best and only chance.
Hoping you figure it out before the next idiot news cycle,
Steve