In what will undoubtedly result in criticism from the Hillary Clinton campaign and, especially, from liberal bloggers (who support her, and perhaps even liberal pro-Obama supporters), Senator Barack Obama said that a John McCain presidency, wouldn’t be ‘as bad’ as George W. Bush’s presidency was and is.

“You have a real choice in this election. Either Democrat would be better than John McCain,” Obama told a cheering crowd in Pennsylvania last Sunday. “And all three of us would be better than George Bush.”

Of course, there are still some hardcore Bush defenders out there, but Bush is – generally – quite unpopular. Obama’s comment, then, is something of a compliment for McCain; he seems to believe that no matter what happens, the ‘horrible’ years of Bush are over and gone with.

But there is a problem: the Democratic Party is clearly trying to portray McCain as a second George W. Bush. That’s, of course, also the major strength the Democrats have this year; they’re not the party of Bush. If Democratic candidates themselves openly admit the truth – that McCain is no Bush – they basically hurt themselves and their own chances.

Interestingly enough, Obama himself is constantly making the case that McCain = Bush as well. Earlier he said: “We cannot afford a third George Bush term and that’s what John McCain is offering — a third Bush term.”

His more recent comments, however, indicate that he knows the truth; McCain and Bush belong to the same party, and both are quite hawkish, but that’s where the similarities end.

Red State:

 Ooops. The Politico’s Ben Smith describes this as a “break with the core of the Democratic Party’s strategy.” But you know, it’s tough when the “core Democratic Party strategy” is to convince the public of something that even Democratic candidates don’t believe.

Back to the drawing board. And try to be honest this time…

The Democratic Daily:

 Way to go Barack, nothing like undermining the efforts of the entire Democratic party…

And then Pamela quotes Hillary Clinton who – as we are used from American politicians – reacts with a cheap shot:

“Sen. Obama said today that John McCain would be better for the country than George Bush. Now, Sen. McCain is a real American patriot who has served our country with distinction, but Sen. McCain would follow the same failed policies that have been so wrong for our country the last seven years.

“Sen. McCain thinks it is okay to keep our troops in Iraq for the next 100 years. Is that better than George Bush?

 Audience: No!

What’s really sad is that Democrats aren’t even embarrassed by their constant repetition of an empty talking point. She also had better points, of course:

“Sen. McCain will continue the failed economic policies of George Bush that have brought us deficit and increasing debt. Is that better than George Bush?

Audience: No!

“Sen. McCain does not have a health care plan that will cover every American. In fact, we will have more and more uninsured Americans. Is that better than George Bush?

Audience: No!

Tennessee Guerrilla Woman:

 I swear there are days when the words out of Obama’s mouth lead me to believe that the presidential wannabe could have been hand-picked to bring down the Democratic Party by no one other than Karl Rove himself.

Here’s yet more evidence that Barack Obama is anything but a team player…

The Anonymous Liberal:

“When is a gaffe not a gaffe?” Answer: when it offends no one, is unquestionably true, and saying it actually makes you seem like a better, more honest person than your opponent.