Torture

Since it is official US policy that we don't torture, we just refer to torture by other names. Many Americans and observers around the world have been horrified by our performance since 9/11, and torture is at the top of the list. Obama has been consistently anti-toture, while many on the Republican side have mocked Dems for wanting to coddle the terrorists. For awhile, McCain talked tough about torture, but during the primary season he lost a bit of his mettle in this area, and indeed, during the RNC, Palin mocked Obama, saying "Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America, and he’s worried that someone won’t read them their rights.”

I think a great first move by an Obama administration would be to put John McCain front and center at some sort of statement, legislation, whatever, that made it quite clear that we are not a country that tortures. First, as someone who has been tortured and has at many points in the past pointed out how pointless it is, McCain has some credibility on the issue. Second, the post-partisan aura that would eminate from such a move would be astounding and would score Obama a lot of points with the general public. Only the most raving right-wingers would oppose this, and anyone on the fence would take one look at the Obama-McCain partnership and decide it is a good idea, no matter what Sean Hannity says.