Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

I missed the first presidential debate and am catching up. When Sen. McCain accused Sen. Obama of not understanding the difference between a strategy and a tactic, I quickly looked them up in the dictionary to make sure that I understood the difference. However, the definitions looked more similar than my impressions. I would have thought that one was a general plan of action and the other a more specific plan for carrying out the general plan.

What is the difference?

Thanks.