McCain, Obama Trade Barbs, Ignore Clinton
For example, the NY Times reported that McCain "delved on Sunday into remarks made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr." after Obama "made the subject fair play" in an interview on FOX News.
Obama said: "The fact he's my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue." And yet ... his campaign spokesman had this to say about McCain's remarks: "By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign."
In turn, Obama characterized McCain's summer gas tax reprieve as a "scheme." McCain's camp shot back: "I'm sure he didn't call gas tax relief a 'scheme' when he voted for it in the Illinois Senate."
In an analysis of how Obama is trying to appeal to blue-collar Democrats, we learn:
In interviews with several associates and aides, Mr. Obama was described as bored with the campaign against Mrs. Clinton and eager to move into the general election against Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.
The response is classic marketing: "[modify] his approach [with the intent] to inject an air of freshness into his style." In other words, change the surface, the appearance. (I'm reminded of the lipstick and pig story.)
Not much of this has anything to do with issues. Surprise, surprise.