Quick study

Ezra learns that the vapidity of the press cannot be underestimated.

Just one example:

National security. Surprisingly, given McCain's reputation as a hawk and Obama's as a peacenik, they don't differ much in their ideas about how best to protect the country. Both want to increase the size of the military and provide more training and equipment. Both oppose the use of torture as an interrogation technique, and both would like to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Um, no. Toward the end of the editorial, the writer admits that they are pretty different, especially when it comes to that minor detail known as the Occupation of Iraq. But Iraq is the single biggest national security issue we face, and McCain thinks the festering over there is something we should continue to pick at.

Further, while McCain may make pleasing noises about torture, during the Republican primary season his actions didn't match his words.

On a range of issues, McCain and Obama should provide an opportunity for real policy debates. Op-eds like this one undermine that.