

Confronting questions about whether John McCain stole an inspiring POW story from the autobiography of a former Soviet prisoner, a campaign spokesman threw out this melee attack against a much-maligned geek pastime:

"It may be typical of the pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd to disparage a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement," said McCain aide Michael Goldfarb, in a posting to the campaign website. "But most Americans have the humility and gratitude to respect and learn from the memories of men who suffered on behalf of others."

Ouch. I'd take offense, but I have a saving-throw to make, and the dim light in this basement is making it hard to see the D20.

Naturally, gamers are not amused by the McCain campaign's quick resort to '80s-era cultural stereotypes – once McCain masters the internet, we're confident he'll contemporize and start bashing video gamers instead. But it does raise the obvious question: If John McCain were a D&D character, what kind would he be?

Our money is on some sort of shape-shifting offshore drill monster. But what you do think? Submit your McCain inspired D&D creature below: Pick a name, decide what kind of damage he can inflict in combat, and don't forget his special powers. Vote on your favorites. Threat Level will incorporate the winning entry into our next dungeon map, which is set in the vast caverns lurking beneath the Old Executive Office Building.

(Hat-tip: BoingBoing. Image: Kevin Poulsen/ Wired.com)