I feel it is inappropriate for any politician to use our military personnel as campaign props, regardless of their party affiliation.
As for other campaign photo ops, while McCain has ran what I believe to be a poorly executed campaign that lacks any demonstration of a mastery of political stagecraft, he has refrained from posting campaign banners at significant religious sites. So in that regard, I can't fault him.
However, if you feel I am being less than even-handed, I would encourage you to swing by my blog and checkout "McCain: Having Failed History He Is Doomed To Repeat It" in the June archives and "Republicans Should Be Careful What They Wish For" in the March archives.
So you agree that the whole Mission Accomplished thing was an offensive misuse of our military and nothing more than propaganda? I think so, too. But it's a fact of life and this is what politicians do.
Campaign banners would be with the permission of the Israeli people. If McCain didn't think of it, I'd say that was a misstep. But it's interesting that you talk about McCain's campaign lacking any mastery of stagecraft. There was a comment made on Scarborough this morning that he needs to elevate his campaign from the congressional to the presidential level.
What I will say is that as of four months ago when I was there, every Israeli I met wanted McCain to be the next president. I don't know how they feel now.
I don't know if you're even handed or not. I only responded to the post I saw.
Thanks re your blog. Might check it out when I have some time.