Content Preview

Newsday/Optimum Online^® subscribers click here for full access
Not a Newsday or Optimum Online^® subscriber? Click here

Swift-boating in debate is a risky maneuver

October 6, 2008 By JULES WITCOVER Jules Witcover, a columnist for Tribune Media Services, is the author most recently of "Very Strange Bedfellows," about the Nixon-Agnew relationship. E.J. Dionne is off.

Strategists for Sen. John McCain have passed the word that he is poised to wage an even stronger attack against Sen. Barack Obama tonight in their second televised debate. If he becomes more personal, McCain will be taking another high-stakes gamble to turn his election chances around.

McCain's high-wire act has had mixed results so far. His selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate...

newsday.com is now available at no charge to Newsday and Optimum Online^® subscribers. To continue reading, please log in or register now.