So far, this much is true:

The man has been taken to task for promoting hope, threatened with mutilation by Jesse Jackson for suggesting that a lot of black fathers could do better by their kids and had his patriotism called into question because he wants to wind down a war that most Americans would dearly love to be rid of.

John McCain can barely stop himself from sputtering at the mere mention of Senator Obama’s name. He actually ran an ad blaming Mr. Obama for high gasoline prices. Even Republicans had a good laugh at that one.

And yet Mr. Obama continues to treat Senator McCain respectfully. As far as personal character is concerned, Mr. Obama has scored very well, indeed.

It's relatively early in the campaign.

Negative only needs a couple of weeks' worth of repetition.  Done nearer to Election Day, it remains fresh in the mind.

McCain is probably losing more support the more he spews the W/McSame-brand idiocy, I would hope, but 40% is about as low as he'll go.

Like I said before - so far, so good...