Attacks on a politician's identity - questioning Romney's religion, say, or Obama's birthplace - tend to come when an opponent is desperate and can't sell himself.

Summary

This quote suggests that attacks on a politician's personal characteristics, such as their religion or birthplace, usually occur when their opponent is in a dire situation and unable to promote themselves effectively. It implies that resorting to such attacks reflects an act of desperation rather than a legitimate critique of the politician's policies or qualifications. This tactic may be employed when an opponent lacks substantial selling points and hopes to distract or undermine their rival by raising doubts about their identity.

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