Lock and Load

John McCain has had a disastrous two weeks. He looked erratic and unpresidential. His debate performance showed him to be angry and mean. In addition, his vice-presidential pick went from savior to liability. As result, his poll numbers plummeted and Obama opened up a clear lead both nationally and in key battleground states.

Make no mistake: the Republicans will not give up the presidency without a fierce and dirty fight. Much of that fight will come from 527s. In Michigan, independent groups have already begun targeted ads that attempt to tie Obama to currupt or radical African-American political figures and imply that Obama is Muslim. Their targets are white working class voters whose economic interests lay with Obama but who may buy in to racial stereotypes. 

It's time for the Democratic-leaning 527s to get in the game. Unlike the race-baiting on the right, there are legitimate questions about McCain's ability to lead that the Obama campaign might not want to touch. It's the job of the 527s to make that case.

First, is McCain emotionally stable enough to lead the nation? This past week, he demonstrated erratic behavior that called into question his grip on reality and his decision-maiking ability. He said the economy was "fundamentally sound" while the markets were crashing around him. His reactionary finger-pointing and shoot-from-the-hip response to the crisis led no less than George Will to say, "It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency." In addition, his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate was not thought through.

Second, McCain's age and health are fair game. He chose a running mate who is not prepared to serve as President so Americans deserve to know whether he's likely to serve out his term. Democracy for America released an ad discussing his history with cancer. I would have ended with Palin telling Katie Couric, "I'll get back to ya on that," but it's a good start.

Third, John McCain's decision-making is questionable. He has shown the same govern-from-the-gut mentality that George Bush used to define his disastrous presidency. His choice of an unqualified running mate, his decision to suspend his campaign, and his meddling in the bailout negotiations show that he puts his own self-interest ahead of the interests of the country. 

Finally, they should go right to the heart of his message--that he is not fit to lead on foreign policy matters. Obama scored points in the debate when he told McCain that he was wrong on the war, wrong when he said we would be greeted as liberators, wrong when he said it would be quick and wrong when he said there were weapons of mass destruction. In addition, he is wrong in not sitting down with our enemies. Iran is stronger because of our failed foreign policy, North Korea has nukes because of it, and now he says he won't pursue al-Qaeda along the Pakistan-Afgan border.

Republican strategists and pundits are urging McCain to go negative and attack Obama personally. Obama, for his part, is a candidate of hope and change. He should stick to that message. The interest groups, though, who have a huge stake in this election need to get ready for battle. When the Republican smear machine cranks up, the progressive community needs to be ready for battle. Lock and load.