I don't enjoy really nasty campaigning by politicians. But at least I understand that they may see it as part of their job. Not sure how Mark Halperin has decided that his job as a political writer requires writing John McCain a checklist of things to use against Barack Obama, in the general election, including:
6. Allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the race card when criticizing Obama.
...
11. Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama's unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.
Pressing the fear button (for appealing to racism here is but another type of fear). That is, of course, what the Republicans have left. The economy is in intensive care, the war is limping on and George Bush's approval ratings are glacial. But then the last seven years have been all about fear.