Wednesday update: Aftermath
The tempest in a teapot already seems to have blown over. McCain is no longer flogging the issue, although he responds defensively when reporters bring it up (commentary here, here, and here).
Clark's friend Eric Massa, a Democratic Congressional candidate for NY-29, writes in his defense, while others consider strategy again.
Tuesday saw both Clark and Obama maneuvering to bring their messages into harmony. They agree that the infamous soundbite retort was "inartful" and a distraction from more important issues. Because the media has focused so obsessively on this one statement, the rest of what Clark said is in the clear and he is continuing to repeat it every time he appears in the media. Obama has pivoted back to talking about McCain's judgment as well. The specific critique about executive national security experience remains Clark's - which means that McCain and his surrogates have to refute Clark's expertise in this area to refute what he said rather than being able to attack Obama for it.
Political strategy 101, perfectly played by both Obama and Clark.
Huffington Post has a good summary of the whole hullaballoo. It may be that Obama overestimated McCain's strategic intelligence.
