Curious what people think on this -- McCain's poll numbers have been sliding for days, and tonight's debate probably marks his last opportunity to do something dramatic and game-changing before a live, national audience. He's in a bit of a pickle, though, from a strategy standpoint.
On the one hand, he needs to do something significant and newsworthy to change the dialogue, and those on the far right are pleading with him to attack Obama at the debate over Ayers, Wright, Rezko, etc. Moreover, he's basically already said he intends to bring up Ayers. A debate like the last two probably ensures an Obama presidency.
On the other hand, since Ayers has become a line of attack for the McCain campaign, his poll numbers have steadily dropped, and what's more, Obama's favorabilty ratings have increased with his unfavorability ratings staying largely flat, while McCain's favorabilty numbers have stayed flat with his unfavorability ratings rising. In other words, not only is it not working, it's actually hurting.
He's faced with a cruel choice: play it nice and piss off the base who is foaming at the mouth for hard-hitting attacks (and risk looking like a puss, since he already said he intended to attack), or go on the attack and piss off the independents and moderates.
I bet he goes with option 1, actually. "McCain Offers Negative Attack" is hardly news right now, and he's got to know that Obama will have a ready response -- Obama all but dared McCain to bring it up.
Thoughts?