Obama is going on the attack in some key states (e.g., Ohio) while keeping his national ads softer. He is hitting McCain on economic issues in these states. And other groups outside the campaign are attacking, e.g., the AFL-CIO sent out a mailing attacking McCain's wealth (and his Ferragamo loafers). I think we will see more attacks as we get closer to November. As long as Obama stays on point and continues to attack McCain on the issues these seems to be a good strategy.

In an article on the "go negative" question one of Obama's campaign strategists said that because of campaign finance rules McCain had primary money that he had to spend before the general election. After the general election he will face more financial limits. Whereas Obama won't. So, the Obama camp has the luxury of gradually turning up the heat on McCain.

It would be a huge mistake, however, to go negative on McCain's character, e.g., bringing up his treatment of his wife. Two reasons: this isn't exactly a secret; it would backfire. It would backfire because I assume the idea would be to turn "values" voters against McCain. But these voters love redemption stories, love the sinner hate the sin, all McCain has to do is repent, remind them he is saved by Jesus Christ (a la Geo W). And the Repubs would remind these voters that Obama broke his promise to run a clean campagin.

"How are the Republicans going to smear her?" Ah...let me count the ways...

I am sure that Matalin/Corsi had a Clinton smear book ready to roll of the presses if she'd been the nominee. If Hillary were named VP how sweet for them - double their money, double their fun.

Obama needs Hillary like a fish needs a bicycle.

Bullseye! Your analysis is spot on. If this were HuffPo I'd become your fan!!

I do not think that jebldmm lives in a red state, a blue state or a purple state. I think she lives in a parellel universe that bears absolutely no resemblance to ours. She clearly has no clue how things are in our universe - she gets every darn thing wrong. Kinda Twlight Zone-ish!

PUMAs don't exist (unless you are talking about the animal or the athletic shoes) - they are a Rovian tactic the goal of which is to throw the Obama campaign off balance. McCain would love to see the Obama campaign waste time, money and energy trying to appease these non-existent voters. PUMAs are Republicans. Harc core Republicans. Don't buy into this nonsense.

Finally, a Democratic party leader who will straighten out the mess created by years of Clinton control! The millions of Obama supporters who have been energized to participate in politics for either the first time or the first time in a long time (me: over 30 years) will benefit from a renewed Democratic party. And, Obama's leadership bodes well for the long term future of the party. Rank-and-file democrats are "so over" the Clintons and the way they've reigned over the party to the benefit of only themselves and their cronies.

"Thou dissembling ill-bred skainsmate!"

"Thou accursed long-tongued ratsbane!"

"Thou beslubbering plume-plucked mildewed ear!"

(Courtesy of the "Shakespearean Insults Generator)

You do know that Mark Warner, former Governor of Virginia, is the keynote speaker?

McCain just said that he does not disagree with the idea of bringing back the draft.

I am as rich as Bill Gates. I am as rich as Bill Gates. I am as rich as Bill Gates. I am as rich as Bill Gates.

Darn. I hoped that if I kept repeating that over and over it would be true!

PUMAs are mythological creatures. They are actually a Republican front created to keep the Obama campaign off balance - that isn't happening. The other goal is to keep the media focussed on this juicy story that PUMAs will disrupt the convention - will burn down the Pepsi Center. And, the media will absolutely keep this narrative going. (Can't wait to see how many pick up on the threat to burn down the Pepsi Center.) No worries. The Obama campaign is on the right track and they will have a great convention and they will win in November. Once the convention is over the PUMA thing will have proven to be one of the most over-hyped fake news story - in a category with the Y2K fake news story. PUMA stories, threats to burn down things, sell advertising.

You bet the crowd would go ballistic - they'd be totally pissed off - most of the delegates would probably walk out of the Pepsi Center in protest.

I agree that Clinton could become a very strong leader (ultimately, take Reid's place) in the Senate. But she's delusional if she thinks that will happen if she doesn't forcefully project her support for Obama and start working her tail off (like I and millions of others are, including former Hillary supporters) for Obama. If (G_d forbid) Obama loses the the vast majority of rank-and-file Democrats and her Democratic colleagues will blame her. She would never be the nominee in 2012 and she could even lose her Senate seat. Her career would be finished. Bill and Hillary are not the leaders of the Democratic party anymore - they and their cronies are old news - Mark Warner, Claire McCaskill, Governor Sibelius, and others, are the future. And they will work with long time party members like Joe Biden and Nancy Peolosi to renew the Democratic party.

Cross posting too: the crowd would go "apeshit" but because they were outraged and angry; imagine the boos, imagine all the delegates walking out of the convention and going home; huge, huge mistake to pick Hillary as VP.

As I've said before: Obama needs Hillary like a fish needs a bicycle