The Punditocracy is nearly unanimous that John McCain's best line last night was when he announced that he is not George W. Bush.

What they don't mention is that “I am not George Bush” is a defensive line. From the candidate who is losing. When you're losing, and your best line is a defense effort ... that is not good.

Here's one of many examples: Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post:

McCain did not score the knockout blow that many Republicans had hoped but he did land several solid body shots -- the best of which was his repudiation of Obama's contention that he represented four more years of President George W. Bush.

That's landing a “solid body shot” -- defending yourself from comparisons to an historically unpopular president?

Maybe it was a good line, maybe it wasn't -- that's for others to decide. But it certainly wasn't an assault that sent Obama reeling. It was McCain defending himself.