When you have no honor, this is what you get

Making ugly attacks, below the radar, with automated calls is fundamentally gutless. After watching the campaign unfold over the last several months, many of us have come to expect dishonesty and dishonor from McCain, but this is the most meaningful example of cowardice we've seen this year. Worse, McCain knows this. He hated this kind of campaigning when it was used against him eight years ago.

• Steve Benen