McCain talks about the surge all the time, because it is, in his mind,  the only positive thing that he is capable of talking about.

He can't talk about the economy, much, because people may start to notice which party has been in charge of the economy for so many years.

He can't talk about his knowledge of the economy, because people may begin to notice that there isn't any discernible knowledge there.

Reading Michael Crowley's Mark Salter profile in TNR, you wonder how real McCainiacs can really keep a straight face while arguing that the Obama campaign is the one driven by a cult of personality built around a narcissist who feels he's owed the presidency.  Salter is apparently livid that Obama has stolen McCain's themes of having matured out of a colorful childhood and been bettered by patriotism and commitment to public service.  Did Mark Salter make it through his top perch in John McCain's 2000 campaign without ever listening to a George W. Bush speech?  Salter even jokes

"I often regret that we didn't copyright 'serving a cause greater than your self-interest,'" he cracks.

Well folks that says it John McCain is willing to go as low as possible to win this election. He won't back down from his remarks on Barack Obama willing to lose the war.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail /2008/07/24/mccain_wont_back_down_on_oba ma.html

McCain was unapologetic today when asked about Obama's comments.

"I think it's very clear that I said at the most difficult times that I would rather lose a political campaign than lose a war and that's very clear and a lot of people said that it might do (in) my candidacy for president of the United States or the nomination of my party,'' McCain said, referring to his support at the "surge" of troops to Iraq.

Grandpa McCain proves how stubborn and out of touch he is.

So I've been called a concern troll.

I've been a regular reader of MyDD for nearly six years, since just before the 2002 midterm elections.  Jerome had a contest
on how well the Republicans would do in the 2002 midterms.  He was dead on then, and he's right about what's happeing this year.  And I respect his analysis a lot.  And he's right about the energy issue--how did the Democrats get blindsided?

Even though I was a Hillary supporter in the primaries, I really want Obama to win.  It's really very important to have a Democrat in the White House.  And for a lot reasons--judicial appointments, overturning Bush's outrageous executive orders, and
restoring the rule of law, as well as getting a health care bill passed.

http://www.fcnp.com/index.php?option=com _content&view=article&id=3335:mc auliffe-touts-kaine-for-v-p-in-fairfax-t alk&catid=13:news-stories&Itemid =76

The former national chairman of the Democratic Party who ran Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign this year told 200 Democratic activists in Fairfax County Tuesday that Virginia Governor Tim Kaine would be his party's best choice as Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate.

Terry McAuliffe brought his articulate, high energy speaking style to the monthly meeting of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee at Oakton High School, to, among other things, "make no mistake" that his party leadership considers Virginia "a battleground state" in the 100 days left to fight it out for the presidency this fall.

"The fact that we've opened 33 offices around the state should remove all doubt" about how important Virginia is perceived to be for winning the election, he said. "We've leased them all through November," he added.

What?!?!

Jean Schmidt is not a popular lady, not even within her own party. Talking Points Memo is reporting a quote made by former Republican State Rep. Tom Brinkman which is not very kind.

Here is the latest from the Democrats Abroad effort to get U.S. citizens living and working overseas to register and vote: a message from DA International Chair Christine Marques. Please do click through and check out the video.

-------

Dear DA Member:

As this important election season continues we wanted to share with you a
video message taped by Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ). Please share this
message about how you can vote with other Americans you know living
abroad.

Register for Change today - and tell a friend!
www.VoteFromAbroad.org

Republican Gordon Smith is running the most negative campaign in the entire country. Smith has spent over one million dollars attacking OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley. You'd think I wouldn't be surprised anymore with the Smith's campaign constant negative attacks and misleading ads, but today the Smith campaign reached a new low. Jeff Merkley released his rural economic development plan and this is how the Smith Campaign responded:

Jeff Merkley has a 10-year record of trying to beat rural Oregon into submission," Gilbride said. "His lackluster and disingenuous proposal is merely fruit from a poisoned tree. It is not credible for Merkley to propose things he spent a career opposing."

Wow.