"I've got you this time, Brer Rabbit," said Brer Fox, jumping up and shaking off the dust. "You've sassed me for the very last time. Now I wonder what I should do with you?"

Brer Rabbit's eyes got very large. "Oh please Brer Fox, whatever you do, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

"Maybe I should roast you over a fire and eat you," mused Brer Fox. "No, that's too much trouble. Maybe I'll hang you instead."

"Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch." - From "The Wonderful Tar Baby Story" as told by Joel Chandler Harris [paraphrased]

The old story about Bre'r Rabbit and Bre'r Fox is a study in reverse psychology. It's about being cool enough under pressure to use your brains to get your opponent to do what you want them to, all the while making them think it's their choice and something you don't want. I was reminded of this story last night when I heard McCain say that Obama had pretty much forced his hand and assured that Bill Ayers would be brought up in tonight's debate.

As we all know, McCain has been attempting to use Ayers to smear Obama. He's brought up Ayers in stump speeches (as has Palin), and he's used him in ads. What he has not done is mention him during debates. After the last two, Obama called him out on this little fact, saying "Well, I am surprised that, you know, we've been seeing some pretty over-the-top attacks coming out of the McCain campaign over the last several days that he wasn't willing to say it to my face".

On the surface, it looks like Obama is calling McCain a "chicken". It looks like he's trying to get McCain to stop using Ayers in ads and stump speaches. I don't think so. I think he really wants McCain to bring up Ayers at the debates.

Why?

Because he's got something already prepared to throw back in his face. He's got something he would LOVE to bring up, but really can't without looking like he's unjustly attacking McCain. So - he needs McCain to throw the first punch.

I'm not the only one who's been thinking along these lines. According to Patrick Healy at the NY Times:

Of course this was said before the last debate, before Obama called out McCain. However, it reinforces the idea that Obama is prepared to counter an Ayers attack. What that counter-attack might be is intriguing to speculate.

Probably the most damning revelation is that McCain's transition team leader was part of a lobbying team for Saddam Hussein:

Obama may or may not have known about this at the last debate, or when he called out McCain on his Ayers hypocrisy, but I'm sure he knows about it now. Regardless, Obama is prepared. We'll see what happens tonight.

So go ahead McCain - throw the first punch. Throw Bre'r Obama into that briar patch. You know you want to... don't be a chicken...