If I were John McCain, I too would also be suspicious and would be entertaining the notion that I had been hit with an attack-by-surrogate by a campaign that will subsequently deny having done so.

I would view Clark as a soldier who accomplished his mission.  He landed a mortal wound on McCain which will slowly bleed until November, and he did so as only someone in his unique position could.  As a good soldier, he would be willing to be expended for the greater mission.

As McCain, I would know that Obama could easily distance himself from this, even while the Republicans, the Press, and even liberals, who want Obama to fight this worthless, nonsensical battle, would get all caught up in their heated exchanges.  Contrary to what Josh opines, Obama can now concede any point to McCain about his service and patriotism because it no longer matters, McCain's war hero bubble has been pierced and the slow leakage has begun.  Obama could humbly lose this battle yet win in the long run.  He is having and eating so much cake, he can afford to give some to John McCain.

I am reading all the hysterical chatter, yet I cannot help but see the masterstroke.

Perhaps this is all a mere wishful interpretation of mine, that all these events precipitated themselves due to lack of coordination, mis-speaking, and subsequent lack of fight.  Nevertheless, underestimating Barack Obama has just never really served anyone well.  Just ask Mrs. Clinton.  John McCain, based on his words, seems to know this well.  It just goes to show that McCain sees more astuteness in his opponent than do his opponent's supporters.