What comes first?

Even though McCain and Obama claimed they would cease the childish attacks and multiple fallacies of this election to focus on the real issues that have been plaguing the American people, it seems nothing can resolve this very elementary feud.

Now I do realize that part of campaigning is to demonstrate to the voters not only why you are the best candidate but also why your opponent is the worst. However, this is just getting old. On FoxNews.com yesterday, Mosheh Oinounou reported in an article entitled "McCain Lights up Obama" that the republican candidate's new slogan (for at least a week or two), referencing Obama's support of war in Iraq, is "Country first or Obama first?" Really now? I won't go into how I feel about that, but what tops it off is Obama's response: "So, when American workers hear John McCain talking about putting 'Country First,'" Obama said, "it’s fair to ask –- which country?" So now our democratic candidate is implying that John McCain, the renowned war hero, is unpatriotic? This is just getting silly.

However, John McCain apparently will be delivering another, much more dignified response at a town hall meeting in New Mexico today (as reported on TheAtlantic.com).

Yesterday, Senator Obama got a little testy on this issue. He said that I am questioning his patriotism. Let me be clear: I am not questioning his patriotism; I am questioning his judgment. Senator Obama has made it clear that he values withdrawal from Iraq above victory in Iraq, even today with victory in sight. Over and over again, he has advocated unconditional withdrawal - regardless of the facts on the ground. And he voted against funding for troops in combat, after saying it would be wrong to do so. He has made these decisions not because he doesn't love America, but because he doesn't seem to understand the consequences of an American defeat in Iraq, how it would risk a wider war and threaten the security of American families. I am going to end this war, but when I bring our troops home, they will come home with honor and victory, leaving Iraq secured as a democratic ally in the Arab heartland.

I'm not quite sure what really comes first for either of these candidates: the US, American people, another country, themselves? Though I think the last option may be the most accurate, it seems in this election, the only priority is winning.