Obama's Coordinated McCain Attack

Upon Wes Clark's absurd claim that McCain doesn't have the necessary presidential qualities because he wasn't the one ordering bombs to drop while serving in Vietnam, Obama appeared to disown Clark's comments.

But to a keen eye like mine, this was a deliberate attempt to elevate himself and his own "patriotism," thus trying to deflect any future advantage that McCain owns because of his military service. The most telling statement was Obama's description of McCain's time in captivity. From the AP:

About the same time, Obama told an audience in Independence, Mo., that McCain had "endured physical torment in service to our country" and "no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides."

By carefully using the term "torment" instead of "torture," I believe that Obama carefully tried to reduce the advantage of McCain's service. Obama's view is that they are both equal when it comes to patriotism and service to one's country. And that's what this show was all about.