[Dem Guard]

A new political campaign ad for Arizona Sen. John McCain attacks "birthers" – and specifically assails McCain's challenger J.D. Hayworth for asking that President Obama prove he is a natural-born citizen by producing his long-form birth certificate.

I would think this will be a real loser for McCann or any incumbent to use. While most voters may not want to pursue this issue now, it is easy for them to conclude this wouldn't even be an issue had this been investigated properly during the election by incumbents, including McCann.

[AdaGray]

McCain is such a phony. He has no center at all, just a desire to be noticed and lauded by the establisment.

[Eroteme]

I agree. It’s the old “don’t think about elephants” exercise. I can see McCain thinking it was a good idea but cannot conceive of any competent campaign person promoting this.

They seriously misread the dynamics of the issue. As you said, many people simply do not want to pursue the issue. That does not necessarily mean they think it’s entirely whackjob stuff. They just would rather not go there. McCain making it a campaign issues forces them to think about it. It forces it out of the closet and into the public discourse.