It's obvious that John McCain has been given a headstart in his campaign to be elected as the next president of the United States because of the fightingn between Clinton and Obama. The more Clinton and Obama drag each other down, the better John McCain looks in the eyes of voters who are sick of the same old dirty mud slinging politics. At this point in the game, McCain has the advantage of being able to refute either of the Democrats without much challenge, as they remain in a single-minded focus on each other.

There is a chance that Obama will come out of this smelling better than Clinton because of his own aversion to the old political style. Many argue that he needs to "fight back", but when he stoops to Clinton's level alot of people just tune out. When he doesn't stoop to her level, he stands out - as a very rare and charimatic leader.

It will be interesting to see if Obama can manage to keep his good image. Meanwhile, John McCain looks better and better, especially to independents. Most Republicans would love to see Clinton get the nomination because many polls show that McCain can beat her. If she is able to drag Obama down into her mud wrestling pit, McCain will surely beat him as well.

Each time Clinton or Obama exchange critisisms, John McCain has the opportunity to state his position clearly and concisely, without much rebuttal on the Democrat side, as he did with the "Al Quaida in Iraq" statement directed at Obama. Clinton and Obama are giving McCain a huge head start in this presidential campaign as they focus on each other instead of the Republican opponent. It reminds me of a boxing match with a third party who's able to slip in jabs and punches to which ever contentant is down.

Both Obama and Clinton need to keep a strong focus on McCain while they spar with each other if they wish to see a Democrat in the White House. And if they do manage to keep their sights on McCain during this battle, they are wasting precious time and draining themselves of the energy they will need for the big fight next fall. It's too bad that some lifelong politicians become so blinded by their own ambitions that they are willing to sacrifice the good of their party and the bigger best interest of their country in order to achieve that "top place" on the ticket.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Weston.
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