JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL

Thanks to Archpundit for pointing out this article. Several years ago, I did opposition research for the Democratic party. We thought we had it easy with Newt Gingrich's, uh, problemmatic relationships with women (though it is true, that never kept him from winning re-election), but the Obama campaign has the best opposition research opportunities of all, just by publicizing Alan Keyes's speaking engagements.

The unusual nature of this contest has led the Obama campaign to throw out the traditional playbook. For example, most campaigns are not in the business of promoting an opponent's public appearances, but Obama's aides often mention to reporters the moment they hear of a Keyes' event. Apparently, they believe the more exposure Keyes gets, the better it is for Obama.

"Just trying to be helpful," a smiling Gibbs explained last week after informing a reporter that Keyes had called a news conference just a couple of hours later.

I will miss this race when it is over. And I wish the DNC would somehow pin Keyes to Bush; Keyes is an opposition researcher's most vivid fantasy.