When the "flip flopper" narrative was used by the Republicans against John Kerry in August 2004 it was effective as we all know, but why?  I believe that it was effective because when the masses started paying more attention in September, they saw a guy in Kerry that pretty much looked like the guy that Republicans said he was.  It was effective because to the casual observer it seemed like a pretty good description.

This however is why I have strong hope that McCain's August attacks on Obama won't have the same effect.  I believe that when the fall campaign starts and the general public watches the conventions & even more so the debates; they aren't going to see an empty suit "celebrity".  What McCain is actually doing is lowing the publics' expectations for Obama which we all know he is more than ready to outshine. 

I also don't believe that the "empty celebrity" charge is as hard to overcome as "flip flopper".  To combat a flip flop charge you have to go back and defend particular Senate votes which most people will just tune out anyway.  But to combat an empty charge, one must only demonstrate that they are not empty.  Obviously we still have a long way to go over the next 2 1/2 months but I think we are in for a series of small but meaningful bounces over the next couple months.