Big headlines this weekend about John McCain’s attack ad based on Barack Obama canceling an appearance with U.S. military personnel in Germany. The voiceover says: “He made time to go to the gym but canceled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras.” First, those abs won’t crunch themselves. Second, if Obama had visited the troops and cameras were rolling, that would’ve been a great photo op, so why is McCain complaining? Third, and most important: Isn’t it a tad early—before either party’s convention—to “go negative”? Maybe I’m just naive. McCain has closed the gap with Obama in terms of Google News mentions. Still, it probably doesn’t bode well that McCain is already choosing to define and promote himself based on the actions of his opponent. McCain’s slogan is “Country first.” If he persists with the negative, whining ad strategy, Obama’s will soon be “Inevitable.”

—Posted by David Gianatasio