The tactic of accusing one's opponent of what one is - in this campaign, McCain accusing Obama of being Elitist and Arrogant - is well known. The sad part is really that our media - and most Americans - haven't been in a debate class, and don't recognize it for what it is. The difficulty comes in responding to this sort of challenge, because one starts sounding like a schoolkid, saying, "I know you are, but what am I?" That's why they both brought out the "Flip-flop" challenge. The goal is to negate the (probably negative) attribute in oneself. Sadly, it appears to be working.