OK, I'm going to assume this is what you aren't willing to say to me.

I am betting that McCain will take the red, white and blue message right over Obama like a steam roller.

I am betting you know McCain was an Annapolis fuck-up (third from the bottom of his class), that he lost five aircraft, some due to his questional judgment, that he was a boozer and said to have had a number of extramarital affairs while in service, that he retired at the equivalent rank of colonel and had no significant credentials in military war planning and theory.

Furthermore, I'm betting you know McCain voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq when Obama opposed it. And surely you know McCain would keep American troops in Iraq as long as it takes (100 to 10,000 years) while Obama is inclined to end it. And you might suspect Bush invaded because of CIA briefs (briefs probably encouraged by Cheney) that oil was about to be in short supply worldwide.

Flag-waving red white and blue patriotism my ass. That's what Bush used to get us in over there. If I was Obama I'd dare McCain to bring it and I'd eat his lunch if he did. America doesn't need false patriotism or even patriotism at this point; she needs good judgment and competent management. Moreover, Americans need to confront a lot of interrelated issues in the general election, because to do so will create the political capital needed for change at all levels of government and private enterprise. I bet you know that, as well.