The New Adventures Of The Old McCain

McCain says he's gonna "whip" some "you-know-what" at Hofstra. But what (other than the obvious) does that mean?

-- Judging from his newest stump speech, it means moving off character and onto taxes. Does this mean the end of Ayers? McCain/Palin may be done w/him, but their supporters aren't. Can McCain's new focus on his "scrappy fighter" creds keep his own supporters' controversial comments from overshadowing him?

-- Or will yet another strategy shift feed into voter anxiety at a time when they really want a soother-in-chief? McCain's lead among voters who feel he's more prepared to lead the nation is just 3 pts. - his lowest ever in Diageo/Hotline polling. Crisis was supposed to be McCain's greatest asset. Instead, his reaction to the financial crisis has undermined his bona fides.

-- It's hard to believe that one speech could turn the whole campaign around. But doesn't the fact that there aren't any new proposals in his "new" speech only give Obama more opportunities for contrast when he gives his own "major economic policy address" in Toledo today?

-- Not that long ago, the assumption was that this election was going to be a referendum on Obama. Now, it's become a referendum on McCain - but not in the way he wants it to be.