What began as a trivial and unedifying sally in the presidential campaign became something more

National Review, Sept 1, 2008

What began as a trivial and unedifying sally in the presidential campaign became something more. John McCain ran an ad comparing Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, suggesting that he too had more fame than merit. Some of Obama's supporters, notably Bob Herbert of the New York Times, decided that the ad had a racial subtext, associating the black candidate with promiscuous young white women.

Obama chose the moment to revive his accusation that the Republicans are using his race against him. The McCain campaign hit back hard, saying, accurately, that it was Obama who was playing the race card. The Obama campaign, not used to being called out for its calculated racial politicking, flailed around, denying that Obama had meant what he plainly said. Obama has lost this round, but look for the race card to resurface. Too many of his supporters, and the candidate himself, seem to believe that there is no legitimate reason to resist his rise and that therefore any campaign against him must be scurrilous. It is an obnoxious assumption, and if acted upon it will lead surely and justly to Obama's defeat.