I hear this question a fair bit: why, when the economy is in shambles, would any Obama supporter want to talk about anything but the economy? Isn't changing the subject what McCain wants? Won't talking about non-economic issues play into his hands?
I understand where that concern is coming from, but the reason why it doesn't worry me is simple: at the end of the day, nothing is going to change the fact that the economy is the number one issue for most voters. Nothing.
And nothing is going to change the fact that while John McCain is ignoring the economy, Barack Obama will continue to focus on it.
But that doesn't mean that some elements of his campaign, or his supporters, can't or shouldn't engage McCain wherever McCain may be playing the game. Sure, McCain isn't on the main field of play, but think of it this way: while a subset of us are sparring with McCain on the sidelines, Barack Obama is marching down the field towards victory.
In battlefield terms, McCain is attempting a flanking maneuver, albeit a highly implausible one. We're just making sure it won't work.
I'll close with a related thought: keep an eye out for a new TJR video sometime in the next 12 hours or so, focusing in on "Secessionist Sarah."
© Jed Lewison