Biden & Co. Take Cue From Rove

Joe Biden’s speech last night mapped out the new plan of attack for Democrats against John McCain, and it’s positively Rovian, Walter Shapiro writes on Salon. The Democrats went directly for McCain’s biggest strength—national security—and tried to turn it into a weakness. “These times require more than a good soldier—they require a wise leader,” the VP nominee said.

Biden’s biggest charge on this front was McCain’s judgment on Afghanistan, which the Republican declared a success 3 years ago but is now beset by Taliban strikes. Bill Clinton and John Kerry also went on offense against McCain, and did so effectively—though their speeches weren’t carried on network TV. It was Biden who set the tone: No more Mr. Nice Guy. (More Joe Biden stories.)