After a week of Democratic hand-wringing about Obama's apparent loss of the excitement, change narrative, and control of this presidential race, which conservatives have watched with gleeful surprise (my favorite freak-out is here) , Obama's about to get serious.
Some Democrats said Mr. Obama needed to move to seize control of the campaign and to block Mr. McCain from snatching away from him the message that he was the best hope to bring change to Washington.
After back-to-back attack ads by Mr. McCain, including one that misleadingly accused Mr. Obama of endorsing sex education for kindergarten students, the Obama campaign is planning to sharpen attacks on Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin in an effort to counter Mr. McCain's attempt to present himself as the candidate of change with his choice of Ms. Palin.
He'll kick off the Skinny But Tough Tour in New Hampshire today-- the location itself is indicative of Democrat worries-- and the campaign's themes will include equal pay for women and a "more pointed linking of Mr. McCain to President Bush and Republicans in Washington." Well, there's a shocking, innovative new strategy.
His newest ad, however, sounds more like a silly web ad than a sign of renewed vigor. John has video here.
McCain as a politician reminiscent of the age of Pat Benetar? Tough. Not exactly the big guns, and it edges close enough to the age issue that it opens them up to criticism.
The McCain camp, meanwhile, is opening itself up to criticism by whining entirely too much of late. The central attraction of Sarah Palin is that she is a female politician in a new mold. She campaigns graciously, without the Gloria Steinem grievances. She is demonstrably happy with her family and with her life, without obsessing over sexism that has been incapable of keeping her from the governor's office and the national stage.
She's strong, but not strident; ambitious without being entitled. Why undercut that appeal with three ads in one week about Palin's victimization? Wolves, Lipstick, and Disrespectful.
The end of the "Disrespectful" ad says "Palin proves (her critics) wrong every day." If that's the case, the McCain campaign should just let her do it, as she has shown herself perfectly capable. Otherwise, they're in danger of being out-toughed by even the Isotoner campaign.
But just so you know - this is by my count the 4th time Obama's campaign has officially or unofficially made such a declaration that Obama will "take off the gloves" and fight back.
That's a lot of pairs of gloves.
The Isotoner campaign, one might say.
