tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9221545944710995423.post-37595709425960196942008-04-25T09:30:00.003-04:002008-04-25T09:42:09.905-04:00<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The kerfuffle over the North Carolina Republican Party's plans to air a subtly racist commercial linking the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama to Democratic gubernatorial candidates Bev Perdue and Richard Moore raises an interesting scenario.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sen. John McCain, the all-but-certain Republican nominee, has stated flatly that the state party should not run the ad. He has condemned the ad, and two major TV stations have refused to run it.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>McCain has called for a civil, issue-oriented campaign. Obama has also called for a positive campaign and has, for the most part, followed his own advice in the Democratic primaries. Here's the intriguing scenario: If McCain and Obama go head-to-head in November, is it possible that this would be the first presidential campaign in decades that was decided on the issues, rather than negative advertising, "wedge" issues and poll-tested gotchas?<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It seems to be too much to wish for, but if both McCain and Obama (if he wins the nomination) follow their own stated principles, American voters could see a more civil, issue-oriented campaign than they've seen in half a century.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>But only if the state parties, national parties, 527 organizations and other groups follow the candidates' advice. How likely is that?<br /></div>Hal Tarletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10736629619718340570noreply@blogger.com