Look at Joe Biden's face and listen to the inflection in his voice when he learns that the McCain campaign is distributing talking points linking Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden.

"Virginia GOP Chairman Jeffrey M. Fredericks was quoted by Time magazine as telling campaign volunteers to draw connections between Obama and Osama bin Laden." "I don't believe it … I can't believe it," Biden said. "I'm surprised John McCain hasn't gone down and whacked the guy with his fist. I mean, I don't think there's a prejudiced bone in John McCain's body. But that kind of stuff is really off the wall. I refuse to let myself believe John McCain has anything to do with any of that."

Joe Biden's personal affection for John McCain blinds him from the reality of the campaign that's being waged. Fredericks isn't a low-level volunteer spouting off at the mouth; he's the Virginia state GOP Chairman. And it's not like McCain doesn't know what's going on. When asked specifically about it Monday on a local Virginia TV station,he refused to condemn the remarks, instead saying he would "have to look at the context." Are you kidding? How is it possible to contextualize a connection between Barack Obama and Osama bin Laden?

Open your eyes, Joe: This is the campaign John McCain has chosen to run. He's willing to win at all costs, even if that means viciously smearing Obama with the same people who viciously smeared him back in 2000. The honorable McCain has left the building.

Country first my ass.