The reason the Republicans have jumped on this ad isn't merely the "Betrayus" bullshit -- watching Republicans turn white because someone's patriotism was questioned is, after all, is like watching Lindsey Lohan sob with sadness when someone breaks their DARE pledge. The Republicans have leapt atop this because it fits their strategy (and yes, it's their strategy, not ours): It allows them to make the personal characteristics, integrity, patriotism, and chiseled cheekbones of David Petraeus the issue. So long as we're arguing about him, we lose. So long as we're arguing about the situation on the ground, we can win. That's the fight during these hearings: Will they be about whether Petraeus is great, or about Iraq?
Which is why I think the line of attack on this is obvious: It's the media's fault. This was a small buy conducted by a leftwing pressure group during one of the most substantively crucial political moments in recent years. That it's getting any attention at all isn't evidence of MoveOn's stupidity, but the press's utter absence of judgment and responsibility. It's time to let the grown-ups talk. And I think most Americans are pretty receptive to the argument that this MoveOn crud is a diverting triviality, and it's the press's responsibility to not be wasting our time with it.
