Newly Discovered Reactionary Affliction

Deliberatism, as in: "Barack Obama is deliberately 'destroying' America."

You expect that kind of talk from Limbaugh and from teabag-friendly writers of right-wing screeds. But, um, John McCain? Don't teabaggers think he's a horrible RINO? Don't veteran D.C. pundits believe he's the epitome of centrist integrity?

So why, in his new reelection ad, does he say this?

"President Obama is leading an extreme left-wing crusade to bankrupt America."

He's not saying "crusade that will bankrupt America." That would be harsh, but within the pale. He's saying crusade "to bankrupt America" -- i.e., intended to bankrupt America.

That's deliberatist. That's something his ex-running mate would say. It seems like a dog whistle to Palinite/teabagger voters, who I assume are as likely to be deliberatists as they are to be birthers and deathers.