It's not a criticism, it's an observation.

I think John McCain is throwing the election. It's the only way to explain some of his recent decisions. Maybe he has money on Obama. Or the Republicans have a devious plan to come back stronger than ever in four years and losing now is part of that plan. With Karl Rove and Newt involved, wacky things are always possible.

First, McCain attacked the Democratic candidate as a rock star without substance. I was amazed. We love airhead celebrities; Obama probably picked up several votes from that commercial.

Each evening, Entertainment Tonight is filled with people who are only famous for being famous. We watch every second. And if Nancy Grace did the debates, more people would pay attention.

Then McCain told America Washington is broken. Why didn't he say water is wet? Talk about an obvious declaration. The problem came when he said he could fix it.

This man has never held a job outside politics, been a member of the governing body since 1982, and his party has been in charge for the last two decades. What's he been doing for the last 26 years?

He says he can deal with oil companies, Wall Street, and big insurance. The legislature's insistence on dealing with these kinds of people is why the government is so screwed up. We need someone who doesn't deal with these guys.

Right after harping on Obama's lack of experience, McCain picks a VP who has less political experience than Miley Cyrus. Picking a hot babe to partner with an old rich guy is something Republicans understand really well, and the early excitement was apparent. But in the long run this might backfire. Didn't someone check her background? Palin has more questions than Jeopardy.

It appears the idea was to find a candidate opposite McCain in every way. She's young, denies evolution, is anti- abortion, and pro- pork; Dick Cheney with ovaries. Which one are we supposed to vote for?

If you like McCain's principles you have to be wary of Palin. If you are voting Republican because of her, you must be secretly hoping the old coot dies so she can take over. It doesn't make sense to me, but politics seldom does. Each party knows how to analyze the race, and every move made has a purpose. But still.

The only thing that makes it appear McCain is serious about winning other than having slimy Karl Rove working on the campaign was getting the gig as official starter at Sunday's NASCAR event. He knows how to reach real Americans.

I know Obama is bouncing around trying to recapture the magic of the primary, but he at least seems to be offering a plan. McCain's tactics are much like the last several Republican candidates; distortion, misdirection, and innuendo. The media is easily diverted by these tactics, but not the people.

America's voters are too smart to be swayed by mudslinging, and we choose candidates by more than race or gender. I know politicians have little respect for us, but they can't think we're that stupid? Throwing the election seems like the only answer. That negative and stupid stuff won't work anymore. Will it?