Posted by Jed Lewison on Sat Oct 18, 2008 at 2:23 AM Pacific

Countdown To Change: 17 Days

In just two and a half weeks, this campaign will come to an end and the American public will render a final verdict on the Bush presidency.

There's really no question what that verdict will be. Whether it's health care and the economy, Iraq and foreign policy, or global warming and energy independence, the fundamental issue of this campaign has always been the same: our nation's desperate need to change course from the disastrous path charted by the Bush Administration.

Now, as we enter the final stretch of the campaign, Barack Obama is winning because more than any other candidate, he has been able to make the case that he can provide the change we need.

So when you hear another false smear from John McCain or Sarah Palin, all they are trying to do is distract attention from anything that might remind voters that they support the same policies that got us into this mess in the first place.

It's clear that their strategy is failing, just as it's clear that Barack Obama's strategy is succeeding. And because of that, we are now in the closing stages of the countdown to change.

Just seventeen more days.