Back in the old days—i.e., four years ago—presidential nominees used to lay low during their opposing candidate’s convention week, leaving the attacking up to campaign surrogates and the national party committees. But, as the New York Times notes this morning, those days are long gone. Though he spent several days largely out of sight at his Sedona, Ariz., cabin this weekend, John McCain has been anything but off the radar the past two days. On Monday, he hit “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Today, McCain spoke to the American Legion National Convention here in Phoenix, where, among other things, he accused Barack Obama of “confusion” about America’s role in the world and quoted Obama's statements on the Cold War and the Russian/Georgian conflict to suggest he’s too inexperienced to lead. McCain noted that, despite the anti-Americanism around the world, people still look to the United States in times of global crisis. "They know the strength of America remains the greatest force for good on this earth,” he said. But in a line that will no doubt raise questions about whether McCain is attacking Obama’s patriotism, the presumptive GOP nominee suggested Obama should have expressed confidence in America’s leadership during his recent speech in Berlin. “He was the picture of confidence, in some ways,” McCain said. “But confidence in oneself and confidence in one’s country are not the same.” In defending similar attacks, McCain has repeatedly said he is not questioning Obama’s patriotism, but rather “his judgment”—though Democrats likely won’t see today’s speech that way.

Here’s an excerpt from the speech:

There are those who say that our day as the free world’s leader has passed, that our moment is waning.  They point to the anti-Americanism that is sometimes heard in Europe and elsewhere, and take this as a sign that America no longer has the strength or the moral credibility to lead.  The criticisms tend to pass or quiet down when global threats and dangers appear.  In times of trouble, free nations of the world still look to America for leadership, because they know the strength of America remains the greatest force for good on this earth.

My opponent had the chance to express such confidence in America, when he delivered a much anticipated address in Berlin.  He was the picture of confidence, in some ways.  But confidence in oneself and confidence in one’s country are not the same.  And in that speech, Senator Obama left an important point unclear.  He suggested that the end of the Cold War proved that there was, quote, “no challenge too great for a world that stands as one.”  Now I missed a few years of the Cold War, as the guest of one of our adversaries, but as I recall the world was deeply divided during the Cold War – between the side of freedom and the side of tyranny.  The Cold War ended not because the world stood “as one,” but because the great democracies came together, bound together by sustained and decisive American leadership.

All of this is more than an academic debate.  For the sake of our own security, and the defense of our values in the affairs of the world, American leadership is critical.  While we have our share of critics around the world, when people in the oppressed nations of the world need support, and solidarity, and hope, they look to America.  When they talk about our country, it is not with distrust or disdain, but with respect and affection.  They do not resent or resist America’s democratic influence in the world – they thank God for it.

Just days after the Russian invasion of Georgia, Senator Obama had this to say about the crisis:  “We’ve got to send a clear message to Russia and unify our allies.  They can’t charge into other countries.  Of course it helps if we are leading by example on that point.”  End of quote.  I guess we are left to figure out the rest for ourselves.  It’s unlikely he was alluding to Afghanistan, the nation we liberated after 9/11, and continue to help despite Russian complaints about our related deployments in Central Asia.  And he probably didn’t have Kosovo in mind either – although Russia didn’t care much for that military action, either.  We and our NATO allies had to end the Serbian slaughter of civilians in Kosovo without UN approval, because the Russians blocked the effort in the Security Council.

If I catch Senator Obama’s drift, then, our failure to “lead by example” was the liberation of Iraq.  And if he really thinks that, by liberating Iraq from a dangerous tyrant, America somehow set a bad example that invited Russia to invade a small, peaceful, and democratic nation, then he should state it outright – because that is a debate I welcome.

In the end, confusion about such questions only invites more trouble, violence, and aggression.  To promote stability and peace, America must stand firmly on the side of freedom and justice.  The next president must bring to office a clear-eyed view of our nation’s role in the world, as the defender of the oppressed and a force for peace.

UPDATE, 4:50PM EST: The Obama campaign responds, calling the McCain speech a page from the “Karl Rove playbook.” A spokesman points out an excerpt from Obama’s Berlin speech, arguing the Illinois senator showed plenty of confidence in his country. “I also know how much I love America. I know that for more than two centuries, we have strived--at great cost and great sacrifice--to form a more perfect union; to seek, with other nations, a more hopeful world,” Obama said. “Our allegiance has never been to any particular tribe or kingdom - indeed, every language is spoken in our country; every culture has left its imprint on ours; every point of view is expressed in our public squares. What has always united us--what has always driven our people; what drew my father to America's shores--is a set of ideals that speak to aspirations shared by all people: that we can live free from fear and free from want; that we can speak our minds and assemble with whomever we choose and worship as we please.”