It Was a Good Idea, But For Your Paternalism
John McCain made a great suggestion.  He suggested that Obama and McCain go together to Iraq.  It was a great idea.  They could both share the same facts.  The difference would then be their analysis.  They would however, share some basic understandings. 

The problem is the manner in which McCain made a proposition.  McCain came off as a paternalist.  He is unwilling to go to Iraq as an equal but wants to define the tour.  In so doing, he prejudices the process and in so doing, makes it an act of theater that Obama cannot even begin to consider.  

They both need to go to Iraq with an independent non-partisan guide.  Philip Bobbitt might be a good choice. 

They should then both meet with Alan Greenspan for a similar tour through the economy. 

Next, they need to meet with Vice President Gore.  Yes.  He's a dem, but when it comes to explaining the environment, he's the voice to which people pay attention. 

Finally, they need to spend a weekend with Tom Friedman.  Why?  Because in a wide variety of areas, Friedman is America's top thinker.  If both Obama and McCain were forced to spend 10 hours over the course of a weekend with Friedman, they'd never be the same, they'd govern better, and they could really focus on what we needed to get done. 

The problem is that McCain doen't want that.  He just wants to show off.