Mr. Dickerson is like so many other columnists/pundits who were inspired by Obama's initial appeal for a new kind of politics. They fail to see that the new kind of politics will mean nothing if he cannot win. Yes, it was frustrating to watch Obama try to muster up the snarky lines to challenge Hillary's pointed attacks while everyone was telling him to "go after her". His native demeanor is not sarcastic, mean or attacking.

Can these pundits come up with a "new kind of politics" strategy to challenge the Palin lie-barbs or the McCain lie-ads that seemed to be working in the post-convention period? Comparisons with Reagan are unfair as he did not have the thousand-pound gorilla on his back called his ethnicity. Every attack by McCain gives cover to a person who is predisposed to vote against him because of his race. He has to shelve the "new politics" to fight the old.

Plus, everyone is now telling Obama to shelve the "new politics" and fight tough. Also, McCain pledged to carry out a clean, honest campaign, and as usual no one is holding him to the fire for it.