McCain: Crazy Like A Fox?

With the dynamic pick of Sarah Palin, John McCain has me wondering if he's just crafty enough to win this election (especially with the campaign's new leadership). Rattling off a month's worth of media victories, the McCain camp stole the thunder from Barack's "Sermon on the Mountain." In it, Obama displayed all the characteristics of a seasoned Chicago pol, attacking McCain in an explicit rejection of his 'unity' rhetoric. But McCain was again a step ahead, announcing Palin the next morning. And once again, team Obama has stepped into the bear trap.

By attacking the #2's inexperience ('mayor of only 9,000' dovetails nicely with 'cling to guns & religion'), Obama exposes their flank yet again. It's an attack that undermines Obama's entire candidacy and since Dems attacked first, the GOP is free to unload on Obama's neophyte status. McCain's apparent slip about his houses artfully opened the door to mention Rezko, unlike Hillary's crass, unsuccessful attempt. Obama's VP announcement and conciliatory convention allowed McCain to use Biden and Hillary in concise, tactically effective ads, pinning their own words against them. McCain's campaign has been one step ahead, and Obama continues to engage in 'old politics' and Democrats laud him for toughening up.

Palin, whos ethics reform, I'm sure, has made her plenty of enemies is already being attacked about a pending corruption case. McCain must have assurances about the outcome, and winning the case means the ticket's narrative against graft is sharpened. I expect the GOP to rehash Jeremiah Wright when Obama goes after McCain on personal associations (read: Keating Five). McCain seem to understand his weaknesses and turn them to advantages when Obama pounces.

Aside: The shameless Paul Begala is now openly, and repeatedly, implying John McCain is likely to soon die. In three sentences yesterday, he twice said McCain, "is 72 and had cancer four times," to discredit Palin's qualifications. Dems better pray the youth comes out, because that attack will drive seniors to the fox, John McCain.

Related: Henry Rollins on Palin's Selection