Obama is almost certainly the smarter of the two and has done what is broadly viewed as a great job of running a 21st century political campaign without utilizing negative tactics.
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I am not sure what campaign you have been watching. No, Sen Obama engages in no negativism but his campaign sure does. Blaming Sen McCain's comments for the escalation in Georgia (NOT Sen Obama but his aide...Susan something or other on CNN)....calling various folks racists during the primary (NOT Sen Obama but his campaign)....saying using his name was unfair (NOT Sen Obama but his campaign), etc.
He is using old tactics to run his campaign...use the word CHANGE and keep your hands clean allowing your staff to do the dirty work. He is running at a time when we are in a unpopular war, struggling economy thus ANY Democrat should be winning and using that word. Sen Obama is not the genius you make him out to me but I am sure your measure of intelligence ("Obama is almost certainly the smarter of the two") is right on.