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Barack Obama promised to practice a different kind of politics, a politics that would stick to the issues. Yet his campaign has produced an ad that shows an old photo of McCain, wearing an out-of-style suit and large glasses, in an effort to convey the message that McCain is an old, out-of-touch man, someone who doesn’t even know how to use the Internet or even send an e-mail message. That’s what is known as an ad hominem attack.

The confetti and popping balloons had barely subsided at the end of the Republican National Convention when John McCain’s media-shy Southern Baptist pastor delivered a closing prayer bordering on a plea for God’s endorsement.

Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, where McCain attends but is not a member, on September 4 asked God for “very special blessings” on the presidential nominee, including “wisdom and courage,” inasmuch as “we feel that he has been prepared for such a time as this.”