There is absolutely no reason for despair. McCain will be able to appeal to moderates on a wide variety of issues, and may get some independent votes, though he will get none from any voters strongly against the war.

However since he will be appealing to moderates and independents, it is absolutely vital that the Democrats have a "big tent", and make a vigorous and credible attempt to appeal to independents and others, as well as shunning any ethnically divisive approach within the Democratic party.

Obama embodies the perfect candidate to do this. Hillary is emphatically the wrong one, as she has proven untold numbers of times already in the campaign.

Obviously McCain will be emphasizing national security issues and "experience". But Hillary's "experience" is a house of cards against that of McCain. Obviously Obama's lack of experience would be a liability in such a campaign, but Hillary does not have one iota more of credible experience in a contest against McCain.

Therefore the best approach by far for the Democrats is to make the election about "change" and the necessity for the US to put vicious partisanship--which has stymied the country for so long-- behind us in order to accomplish the huge number of tasks which face us.

The bogeyman of al-Qaeda in Iraq can be pointed out as just that--a bogeyman. At this point, since al-Qaeda has alienated all factions in Iraq, there is no chance that it can take over in Iraq. This will neutralize McCain's strong suit, to a large degree.

With Obama the election against McCain should be a Democratic victory. With Hillary it is likely to be a loss.