Compare and Contrast

Over the weekend, the McCain campaign has turned the national focus to Gustav, forfeiting a big chunk of free TV time and truncating its opportunity to make its case for election.

In the meantime, the progressive fever blogs have dug through the Palin family garbage. The haul so far: outing a teenager's pregnancy, a 20 year-old spousal DUI, a flirtation with with some crackpot secessionists 15 years ago, and some "nuance" on the Governor's position on earmarks. That last bit speaks to her candor and is actually important, but it might get lost in the teen pregnancy uproar.

Candidate Obama has declared the pregnancy out of bounds, and has also been talking about Gustav -- but hasn't stopped campaigning.

Bureaucratic inertia makes common sense rare in politics, so the convention suspension demonstrates real leadership. Even if it is "calculated", the electorate can see Candidate's appreciation of national values and perceptions. The progressive trash-pick is par for the course, but still another reminder of what those folks are about. These blogs do play in message generation and distribution, but they are diminishing their own credibility and thus their influence over mainstream opinion. No matter what the Obama campaign thinks of the gossiping, the squalid display of its known allies can't reflect well.

Campaign McCain now has to present a compelling case for election and introduce Governor Palin in greater detail. She must continue to give strong performances in her speech and interviews. After a mediocre Democratic convention, the GOP has the opportunity to set the terms of the debate. This is a precious opportunity to take the initiative and force Candidate Obama to react rather than drive. Its conversion would compound Obama's strategic problems with questions about its judgment to date and its ability to react. McCain is showing that such challenges can become opportunities to show strength, and Obama could react well. But so dangerous a moment for Obama so early in the race would be unexpected, and would speak well for the skill of Campaign McCain.

But they first have to use that initiative well. And Governor Palin must perform well, and on occasion after occasion after occasion. The focus doesn't turn to Campaign Obama's reaction to pressure until Campaign McCain creates that pressure.