Debate Strategy...

I know this will never happen, but here's what Barack should say if McCain wants to bring up Ayers, Reverend Wright, etc...

"I'm happy to talk about any alleged association in my political career. But I want to point something out first. John McCain is friendly with Senator Larry Craig. We have many pictures of them smiling and shaking hands. They are old compatriots and allies from their years together in the Senate. Does this mean that John McCain likes to suck d*ck in airport rest rooms? Of course not. The association game is a ridiculous, unfair, and never-ending two way street. I'm not surprised that Senator McCain's campaign advisers encouraged him to employ these small minded tactics, but I am surprised and disappointed that he acquiesced to their lowest common denominator inclinations. John, you're so much better than this, and it's a shame that you let your political team drag you down with them."

After that point, he should be candid about any association that McCain or the moderator asks about... I do also think he should point out that Republican operatives and Fox News researchers (is there a difference here?) likely reviewed thousands of hours of Reverend Wright's sermons, and they apparently only found 3 sound bites that were inflammatory (presumably, if they found more than 3, they would have used them too)... so, when Barack says he never heard anything outrageous come out of Reverend Wright's mouth, it's not as unbelievable as it sounds at first... unless there is proof that Barack was in attendance at one of the 3 sermons where Reverend Wright made objectionable comments, then what's the big deal? I mean, I do realize that Republicans are desperate to make Barack look like a militant black demagogue... but still... whatever...