My sense, John, is this is symptomatic of a campaign that has not a clue as to how to respond in the post-Sarah Palin era. “Shrill” they said of her speech. Uh, except 37 million people saw it and I’m betting virtually none of them thought so. Likewise, John McCain’s speech was some horrid attack on Obama. Uh, except it was one of the gentlest acceptance speeches in recent memory.

They really have no clear path at this point. Are they going back to the change theme even with good old Joe Biden in tow? Are they going to do the Bush-clone bit? It strikes me as evidence of a campaign that has lost its own message — Messianic change — and isn’t sure what to do about its opponents or the new VP. It really is remarkable that on a day with new unemployment number they can’t do better. It really isn’t hard: they should talk to Bill Clinton and ask how he won in 1992.