Sorry, Bill Kristol. McCain did not use the smear card tonight in the debate. Doggone, I know you are very disappointed, but who really cares about that.
Just a short and from-the-gut reaction to this aspect of tonight’s debate.
After all the muckraking—uncomfortably close to inflammatory incitement—by his pit-bull running mate, I was amazed that McCain did not get into the gutter tonight, even though he had plenty of opportunity, regardless of the debate format.
I am sure the pundits will have many more in-depth explanations and rationalizations. Perhaps McCain and his campaign started to see and feel the blow-back that was coming. Perhaps McCain had a sincere change of heart and decided to live by his own campaign promises. If so, good for him, and for our country.
But, if after not using the smear card tonight, McCain uses that card tomorrow, or during the next few days, it would be my personal opinion that McCain did not have the guts to tell Obama to his face what Sarah Palin has been accusing him of during the last few days. And, if McCain himself does not use the smear card during his own appearances, but permits or encourages his lady pit-bull to continue to do his dirty work for him, I would have even more serious questions about his machismo.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.