Watching "The Situation Room"...

... Sarah Palin goes after Obama for past association with Bill Ayers.
A sheriff in Florida emphasizes Obama's middle name - "Hussein".

If I were Barack Hussein Obama, I'd confront these smears head-on:

"Our country is facing the worst financial crisis since 1929, and my respected Republican opponent is trying to scare you with my middle name!

For what it's worth, one of our most respected WWII Generals shares the same name as the leader of the Taliban, Mullah Omar... Was General Omar Bradley a secret Muslim terrorist?

We are in the sixth year of a disastrous war in Iraq, with no end in sight, and my respected Republican opponent reminds you that I sat on an advisory board with Bill Ayers. Never mind that Governor Palin's husband once pledged his allegiance to the Alaska Independence Party, which advocates Alaska's secession from the Union.

It was gratifying to see Senator McCain suspend his campaign to deal with the current financial crisis. The failed economic policies that he has supported for his entire career are, after all, to blame for this crisis - it's about time he at least pretended to take responsibility for cleaning up the mess he helped create.

My fellow Americans, your next President faces enormous challenges; challenges resulting from the failed policies of Republican rule. Of course my respected Republican opponent wants to distract you with side-shows. He would prefer you forget who got us into this predicament. America is a great country which can prevail in these challenging times... but a new direction a needed. The same failed policies that got us here will not get us out.

$600,000,000,000 squandered in Iraq.
$700,000,000,000 to rescue the Republican's unregulated financial system.
Osama bin Laden - the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks - still at large.

Friends, we can't afford another four years of Republican rule!

One popular definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results.

It's time for a change!"

I'd probably swipe a few lines from the movie, The American President as well:

"We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you [John McCain] is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections."

Of course, I'm not Obama's speech-writer.

Have a nice day.