A War(monger) of Words

"Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first." - Barack Obama

Senator Obama is the man who will bring that long lost new tone. He's bringing anew "a new kind of politics" ... at least that was the hope. In practice, that change has been elusive, as surrogates and supporters seem to be missing the memo.

Last night, Obama's warm-up act Ed Schultz, syndicated radio "personality" and Obama supporter, referred to McCain as a "warmonger," an assertion he reiterated in a statement today.

"He voted for this war. He's a perpetrator of the war. He's an advocate of the war," Schultz said. "In my personal definition, that's a warmonger."

During the senator's subsequent speech, Obama thanked Schultz, saying he was the 'voice of progressive radio'.

The RNC responded rapidly to the charge, Chairman Robert Duncan saying, "Enough is enough. Senator Obama has an obligation to speak out and publicly reject and denounce - not applaud - the shameful and contemptible remarks made by his surrogates."

Today, the Obama campaign responded. Campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement: "John McCain is not a warmonger and should not be described as such. He's a supporter of a war that Senator Obama believes should have never been authorized and never been waged." That Psaki managed not to call McCain "a monster" is practically a public relations triumph for a "new kind of politics" that is remarkably similar to the old kind. The statement contradicts the warmonger appellation, but falls short of repudiation or denunciation. There was reason to doubt that the Senator would go so far as to disown the remarks or the man standing by them.

Politics can be messy, even (apparently) the "new kind." It was only a few weeks ago that a conservative radio personality made waves in a candidate warm-up act. Bill Cunningham, at a rally in Cincinnati, repeatedly used Senator Obama's middle-name, Hussein. In a statement, Senator McCain personally repudiated the use of the name, immediately and while under no pressure to do so. "Whatever suggestion that was made that was any way disparaging to the integrity, character, honesty of either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton was wrong," he said. "I condemn it, and if I have any responsibility, I will take the responsibility and I apologize for it."

The McCain camp isn't satisfied with the Obama campaign's statement. Tucker Bounds today responded "Barack Obama promises a new brand of politics, but today refused to directly denounce Ed Schultz and his vicious smear attack on John McCain. John McCain is committed to a civil debate worthy of the American people and has a record of standing by that commitment. Senator Obama must personally and publicly repudiate his campaign supporter's attacks - rather than give tacit approval to this blatant smear - or his rhetoric of change will be exposed as nothing but words."

As with McCain's apology yesterday, this is a moment for Senator Obama to match his actions to his vaunted words. You can do it, Senator, yes you can ... and yes, you should.