What President Bush and the NSC Principals have done is far, far more unAmerican, far, far more destructive of American values than any thing Reverend Wright, or, for that matter, Reverend Hagee have said or done.
McCain should repudiate the President, demand the Secretary of State's resignation. Rice cannot possibly represent this country in international affairs. And it may become literally impossible for her to leave the country if she is charged with war crimes in Europe.
We've heard the story so many times, seen it played out in movies. The terrified prisoners of war, certain they are going to be abused and tortured. But the GI turns aside, and says "We're Americans. We don't do that."
Ever since WWII the basis for American Exceptionalism has been an assumption of profound respect for human rights, and a commitment to freedom and Democracy. Bush has defiled that assumption and that commitment by engaging in this nakedly imperialist invasion and occupation. When the Chinese marched in Tianamen Square, they marched behind a copy of the Statue of Liberty. Then, it was an iconic reference to freedom. Today, similarly minded protesters would not think of choosing that symbol, because now it represents torture.
McCain has a responsibility as the incoming leader of his party to repudiate this torture regime, to reject Bush's support and to call for Rice's resignation. She cannot represent the United States as a diplomat with these meetings, that she chaired, on the record. She is now a living, walking example of a corrupt, authoritarian administration that has violated pretty much every core American value.
If McCain can't put the country before the party on this issue, then what case can he make for the presidency. The US has done to prisoners, many of them innocent, precisely what was done to him in Vietnam. How can he be silent? How can the press not demand he take a stand on Bush and Rice's actions?
Turning to the fourth estate, our last line of defense against tyranny, and we find them......giving McCain his favorite kind of donuts.