More good news from Iraq. Are we to believe this too is just a happy coincidence, unrelated to the surge?

Maureen Dowd lets on: “Being a Citizen of the World has its downsides.” (Have you noticed how MSM and conservative journalists now use capitalization to mock The Great One?)

Here’s a silly headline. I think Obama already has 90% of the black vote.

The McCain camp successfully introduced two story lines: Obama snubbed the troops and he has too many excuses.

The mainstream press figures out energy policy is working in the Republicans’ favor. Wow, who’d have thought? (Maybe it was weeks of polls showing three-quarters of voters favor domestic drilling.) But you have to love the phrasing: “Because most Democrats, including Sen. Barack Obama, are opposed to increased drilling, McCain and the GOP have already begun casting their rivals as unconcerned about gas prices and unwilling to wean the country from foreign oil.” (Just “casting”? Really, wasn’t it Obama who said he wouldn’t have minded the price hike if it had been more gradual?)

“Arrogant” and “taking the election for granted”? Even the New York Times is wondering. Such fickle friends the MSM folks are — throw you the ticker tape parade and then criticize the litter.

I’m not sure this sort of thing works like it used to. Maybe it marginally helps with turnout but Obama isn’t going to be “boxed” on social issues — he’s already said where he is on gay marriage and evangelicals aren’t buying him anyway.

Even friendly reporters have noted the latest new (but is it really new or just temporary) Obama position on troop withdrawal. I think it’s easier to start making a list of things Obama has not shifted on: raising marginal income tax rates, spending gobs on health care and opposing domestic oil drilling. Wow, how fortunate for McCain that Obama’s firm positions are also doctrinaire liberal ones.