John McCain's campaign has gone straight downhill since he put Karl Rove deputy Steve Schmidt in charge on July 2. Schmidt's latest creation jumps the shark by weaving in footage of Britney Spears to portray Obama as a vapid celebrity.

At this point, the only appropriate response to McCain's ads is pure sarcasm. Here's the "ad" I would produce if I had time:

Ad: Army Boots

Announcer: Barack Obama's mother wears army boots, and here's the proof:

On the left is Obama's mother. On the right is a pair of army boots.

So now you know: Obama's mother wears army boots.

Does America really want a President whose mother wears army boots?

Vote for John McCain, because his mother never wears army boots.

I'm John McCain, and I approve this message because if I told you the real reason I want to be President, you'd hang me for treason. 

Update 1: Here's a good response from Progressive Accountability: