Guilt by Association

Polls targeting American Jews predict a disastrous loss for the McCain-Palin ticket. In response, some Republican Jewish activists are scraping the bottom of the barrel for new ways to smear Obama.

Though it is easy to dismiss the Republican reliance on the cootie effect and guilt-by-association as a sign of desperation, it would be a mistake to underestimate its potential impact.

Our attraction to certain personal characteristics is integral to how we evolved as humans. How do we leap from prehistoric clan success to modern day presidential politics?

Today, amid economic trauma which he does not seem to understand, McCain has conjured up the Stygian gloom of ultraconservatism's darkest hour.

Obama has erased lingering doubts that he is ready for the Prime Time Presidency, while McCain raised more doubts that he has the energy or interest in the job.

Just as Hillary Clinton learned in the primaries, it is extremely difficult to compete simultaneously with Obama's unwavering strategy and his unrelenting organization on the ground.