A Starting Point

Back in February, Michelle Obama said: “for the first time I'm really proud to be an American.”

That sounds awful.

Even she admits it that it sounds awful and says that what she meant was “I’ve never been so proud to be an American.”

(By the way, Republicans and Fox reporters prefer to leave out the word “really.”)

Now Cindy McCain has begun hammering away at the quote

Interestingly, Laura Bush has come out in defense of Mrs. Obama, saying that no doubt Mrs. Obama meant to say she was "more proud" of her country.

So:

How much of a hit should this be on Obama (Mr. and/or Mrs.)?

Is it smart or dumb for Cindy McCain to be getting involved?

Does Cindy’s involvement now bring into play stories about McCain’s less than admirable treatment of his first wife?

Do we care?

Next:

Two weeks ago, down in Baton Rouge, John McCain said that he’d voted for every investigation of how Hurricane Katrina was handled.

When a Louisiana reporter pointed out that, in fact, he had twice voted against such investigations (in 2005 and 2006) McCain said he was not familiar with those votes.

So

If someone says that McCain seems to have forgotten his own voting record, is that an unfair swipe at his age?

If so, is the only acceptable alternative just to say that he is lying?

Lastly

Is there any proof that McCain is not a secret Moslem?