McCain upstages the Clintons

The NC GOP intends to run a brutal anti-Obama Wright ad and both the RNC and the McCain campaign has intervened privately and publicly to try demand they withdraw the ad.

Here is McCain's letter to the NC GOP Chair.

Dear Chairman Daves,

From the beginning of this election, I have been committed to running a respectful campaign based upon an honest debate about the great issues confronting America today. I expect all state parties to do so as well. The television advertisement you are planning to air degrades our civics and distracts us from the very real differences we have with the Democrats. In the strongest terms, I implore you to not run this advertisement.

This ad does not live up to the very high standards we should hold ourselves to in this campaign. We need to run a campaign that is worthy of the people we seek to serve. There is no doubt that we will draw sharp contrasts with the Democrats on fundamental issues critical to the future course of our country.

But we need not engage in political tactics that only seek to divide the American people.

Once again, it is imperative that you withdraw this offensive advertisement.

John McCain

Now try to imagine the Clintons showing doing this? Wright and race are all they talk about privately with uncommitted white superdelegates.

UPDATE: I'm hearing reports that the Clintons campaign is seeking to buy the ad from the NC GOP and run it nationally.

UPDATE 2: Atrios, ever the cynic, prepares for the next 6 months

Some Republican or conservative group runs a dumb ad.

John McCain nobly distances himself from it.

Cable news spends all day talking about it and showing it for free.

Rinse. Repeat.