Bill Kristol’s Advice to John McCain: Continue to Play the “Impetuosity” Card

William Kristol, the great presidential campaigns “savior,” has some advice for John McCain on how to get off his present “course to lose the presidential election to Barack Obama.”

In his September 29, New York Times column, “How McCain Wins,” Kristol advices McCain to continue to make “impetuous decisions.” (“McCain’s impetuous decision to return to Washington was right.”)

Of course, Kristol gives McCain—who only a few weeks ago said that the fundamentals of the U.S, economy were strong, and who only a few days ago had not even bothered to read the Bush administration’s bailout plan summary—full credit for saving the economy, saving the United States of America.

Kristol advices McCain to use the fear card by—even after McCain has “just rescued the economy”—continuing to “emphasize the crisis:”

McCain can tell voters we’re almost certainly in a recession, and things will likely get worse before they get better.

With respect to his other impetuous decision (his selection of fresh, inexperienced—also impetuous—“talented politician and communicator,” Sarah Palin), Kristol advices McCain to, “free her to use her political talents, and to communicate in her own voice.” Read: To continue to make stupendous gaffes and to continue to be the butt of every comedian and late-night-show-host‘s jokes.

With respect to Palin and her upcoming debate, Kristol offers this amazing bit of insight: “McCain took a risk in choosing Palin. If she does poorly, it will reflect badly on his judgment. If she does well, it will be a shot in the arm for his campaign.” Wow, I wish that I could make such quintessential assessments.

And, of course, Kristol calls upon both McCain and Palin to continue using the “smear card” against Senator Obama, including “the most famous“ smear card, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright card. Kristol has chapter and verse of a brochure from Reverend Wright’s Trinity Church—quoted in Barack Obama’s “Dreams From My Father”—ready for such use.

Obviously, I support Barack Obama. But, even though I believe that Obama presently is ahead of McCain, I do not mind a close, clean, competitive race for the Presidency of our great country. So, if I were a sage political guru, as Kristol professes to be, my honest advice to McCain would be, “Senator, please get back on board the Straight Talk Express and get rid of the impetuosity, fear, and smear cards. You might do better that way.”