In a savvy, preemptory move, Senator McCain has apparently deplored the response to Katrina, by way of trying to define himself as apart from the flock of GOPster who ... simply refused to criticize the GOP President, even calling a "no confidence" vote absurd, at one time.
What else is he deploring ex post facto? The NC GOP's smear ad.
What is the GOP doing on both accounts? Ignoring him.
[Surprisingly, Hillary, not Obama, is the one savvy and quick-to-the-draw to criticize McCain, keeping him from this beachhead.
Oh, and if that NC ad works out? Don't even think that McCain won't use it. If they get any hint that they can withstand the blowback, they'll let it rip, no doubt.]