So Obama has produced an attack ad of his own.  Can’t say I’m happy about it.

I’ve already stated my preference for a jujitsu response.  Now, with this ad, we see the end of our hopes that this campaign would be different, that this would be a debate on the issues.  Just like every other damn campaign for the past forty-plus years, this one is going to be bitter and ugly.

Can’t say I blame Obama.  He knows what happens if he doesn’t fight back — Kerry demonstrated that four years ago.  But I still believe there was another way open to him, one that would have allowed him to retain the high ground and put Kerry on the defensive.  It looks like that path is now out of reach.

I can’t help thinking that this plays into McCain’s hands.  He now can claim that future attack ads are “responses.”  And he can continue to put Obama on the defensive.

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