Why is McCain playing the "Fear Card"

With high oil prices, a falling dollar, turmoil in the financial and mortgage markets, economists stating that we are in a recession, and inflation, you would think that the presidential candidates would be more focused on our economy and other critical domestic issues.

Not Sen. John McCain.

For some reason, he thinks Iraq is still a number one concern for American voters.

At a town hall style forum in Pennslyvania, a questioner asked if the senator feared al-Qaida in Iraq or another group might attack in an effort to aid the Democratic nominee, because Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama both favor a withdrawal of U.S. forces.

McCain replied, "Yes, I worry about it and I know they pay attention, because of the intercepts we have of their communications."

One can easily twist that in the other way. If it were Clinton or Obama hold a town hall meeting, one questioner could have asked if they feared that al-Qaida or another group might try to step up attacks and bombings in Iraq in order to aid the Republican nominee because voters would want U.S. troops to remain there to protect Iraqi civilians and infrastructure and to combat the insurgents. And of course Clinton and Obama would respond with the same answer McCain gave to that questioner.

Economic concerns are seizing a top spot in many voters' minds. The war in Iraq and terrorism have been supplanted by falling housing prices, rising gasoline prices, health-insurance worries, job security, and taxes.

Gallup poll shows 41% of Americans believing that the economic performance of the U.S. is poor. 86% of Americans are saying the economy is "getting worse."

Another Gallup poll shows 35% of Americans think that the economy is the most important problem facing this country. The situation in Iraq has dropped to 21%. For most of the last four years, Iraq was considered more important.

Not anymore.

McCain tells us to be wary of the Iraqi insurgents. He tells us that it's all a plan to get the Democrats elected because they want to leave Iraq. He implies that the terrorists will win if the Democrats win.

Should we believe that line of reasoning? Are we that stupid? Does it mean that we must stay in Iraq for another 5 years? 10 years? All because of them trying to influence our vote?

Frankly, I am more worried about not losing my house, not getting laid off / fired, not losing my health insurance, not paying more taxes, being able to retire with my 401k intact since my social security benefits won't be worth anything after I retire, and hopefully not seeing New York City under a couple of feet of water.

It's the economy, stupid.