Acknowledging the power of the Barack Obama brand and message, the McCain camp has begun to campaign through the prism of the Obama phenomenon with videos meant to stifle the enthusiasm with a thick, wet blanket.  Can we really trust a thoughtful, well-spoken, pragmatic black guy with a funny name?

I consider myself a moderate and, as a native Arizonian, I’ve long been compelled by McCain’s maverick style on issues ranging from campaign finance reform to immigration to military spending.  But as far as I’m concerned, these ads do nothing but fortify Barack Obama’s message of escaping the politics of the past.

First, there was a video that likened Senator Obama to Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton….


And, now, one that mocks Obama’s status as similar to allegoric religious figures who’ve managed to inspire for thousands of years beyond their deaths…


To the same extent that Obama’s speech tends to inspire and excite, these videos, and this tactic, dismay and baffle.  Could they really appeal to the independent voters both candidates so desperately desire, or will they backfire?  To some, they even appear complementary.

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