Contemplating Bush's remarks in Israel and the Democrats panicked and hasty response, we have to concede the point to the Republicans.

Its impossible to tell whether Bush had Obama in mind while making the remarks, but I'd like to think he did. Regardless, Jimmy Carter provides plenty of cover for the lame charges by the weenies that Bush launched and "unprecedented" domestic political attack on foreign soil. The guy did meet with Hamas, he is representative of the Democrat view of foreign policy, and he is not a public official or running for office--in other words--fair game.

Yet its the effect of the statement that is so brilliant.

On the anniversary of a state formed as a reaction and protection against tyranny, Bush utters what can only be called an aphorism.

“Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along."

Bush says it in a context that makes it legitimate and innocuous, and if the Democrats were smart--and they aren't--they would have let those words fall on the ears of Israelis and left it at that.

But no--the Obama campaign has to respond with outrage, thus insuring that Bush's remarks are widely replayed in the United States as an election issue. Bush is held harmless, but the damage is done--Obama's naivete and inexperience are highlighted for several news cycles without political risk or cost.

Sure, the Bush-haters will rage at Bush, but the would vote for Obama even if he raped their sisters. For the rest of the country though, its yet another in a series of Obama denouements.

Like Wright and bitterquiddick, the more you look at it, the worse it gets. By upping the ante with statements by the risible Joe Biden (the Democrats foreign policy "expert"), they simply invite more uncomplimentary revelations. Did Hamas endorse Obama? You bet they did. So did FARC and more hopes for Obama's election will undoubtedly be expressed by other bad actors in the coming weeks and months.

It is Obama's two political left-feet that give me confidence, that in spite of the Republican party's considerable problems, McCain will still win the presidency. Its just a gift to get a rival so unbelievably incompetent.

Its McCain's election to lose.