I guess those reports that Obama was going to start tolerating 527s were correct after all. While MoveOn.org is not permitted by law to coordinate with the Obama campaign, I can’t imagine a group that large and that connected would go ahead with ads without first getting the nod of approval from the powers that be.

As for McCain, his campaign hasn’t seen the highroad since early summer. I expect the Arizona Senator to happily look the other way as the 527s do their wet work.

I guess both candidates still have a chance to prove me wrong. And, since I haven’t seen any of these 527 ads yet, I realize I’m being rather cynical to assume the worst. So I won’t condemn either candidate yet. But let’s just say I’m not optimistic that these groups are going to promote civility and honest debate.

Ambinder shares some additional details…

The group calls itself “an organization representing a coalition of activists committed to raising conservative issues both during and after the election.” It includes longtime Republican activists like Ed Failor, Jr. of Iowa. Failor was a McCain adviser in the state.

And so it begins. The “do and say anything” crowd swings into action.

Expect it to get a lot nastier.