I don’t see how this is a redefinition.  The author himself says that the word means to ‘contaminate the reputation of’.  Senator McCain is deliberatly contaminating the reputation of Senator Obama by associating him with Hamas.  A Hamas representative supports him so therefore he must support Hamas… It is pretty plainly a smear by the authors definition.  If is very clever on McCains part, while disengenous on the authors part to deny it.

Helmut,

I agree that Sen. McCain purposely wanted to tie Obama’s name to Hamas, but I think you’re wrong in saying that “...supports him so therefore he must support Hamas.”

McCain in no way insinuated that Obama SUPPORTS Hamas, but rather was trying to starkly contrast their foreign policies and show that Hamas would not mind an Obama presidency while they shudder to think about a McCain presidency.