The Young Turks

I personally don't think McCain will mention Ayers, Wright or Rezko.

Everyone save his right-wing base is tired of those manufactured scandals.

Though perhaps he might bring up the new kid on the block (of right-wing manufactured scandals): ACORN

But he should know that nothing's easier for Obama than debunking that one and make McCain look bad for raising it.

So I think none of these attack lines would help McCain persuade yet undecided voters (let alone poach any Obama supporters). We've seen all that backfire...

But then, McCain is erratic, unpredictable and desperate. And desperate people often enough do foolish things. You can't count on McCain's rationality, judging by his past behaviour.

I think he'll rather try to paint Obama as too liberal, a tax-raiser and such. The conventional GOP attack.

Not that that will work either.

If there were any better approach or any dirt the GOP had on Obama, we would have seen it by now. Clearly, they have nothing and are reaching.

Bottom line:

A) McCain has nothing to offer in terms of policy

B) McCain has no serious dirt on Obama

C) McCain is the inferior debater 

RESULT: Chalk up another Obama victory. Not a knockout, as Obama won't go for that. He'll play it safe, be presidential, calm and cordial. That's what he did in the last debate and he scored bigtime with persuadable voters.

And that's what debates are about. The persuadables. It's not about zingers pleasing one's base (which includes as all.) Cenk's asking for too much in terms of attacks. Same goes of course for McCain's bigotted base, who want McCain to impersonate Hannity at the debate. Sheer insanity.

A true maverick would do so and go for your message, but hey, we all know that McCain's an opportunist and nothing like a maverick...

You just have to look at his latest effort to shore up his troops' morale: "WE HAVE HIM RIGHT WHERE WE WANT HIM!!!"

That rings so hollow. It's head-in-the-sand reality denial.

But he's chosen that message instead of adopting the stance you outline.

But sure, he'll acknowledge that he's the UNDERDOG and I expect him to say that this allows him to "SPEAK SOME STRAIGHT-TALK" (another drinking-game phrase to look out for).

But he won't simply strike the sails in the way you describe and thereby relate in an entirely different way to voters.

I agree that would be smart, but let's face it: He doesn't have it in him. He'll go for the false underdog bravado. 

McCain really has to find a way for people to start again listening to him. I think many have simply tuned out to his message. And I think he can only do it by going down the route you describe. But it's not gonna happen. 

Drink when you hear the following (words I think will appear and I intend to write on pieces of paper for my friends to pull out of a hat):

Reagan.

Maverick (I give it high points b/c mccain likes to talk about himself)

Bailout.

Main street.

Wall street.

American.

Energy.

Terrorist.

My friends.

My Prisoners (take a double shot if you hear this little gem again)

Iran.

Change.

Last debate I suggested that We drink every 3rd time Obama cleared his throat, again that is very dangerous. Now I have a new idea.

Obama loves statistics.

I think every time Obama words "percent" and "billion" we should drink.