Because 23 days out from Election Day, I'm sure John McCain always planned on being significantly behind in the national polls and having to play defense in states like Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, etc. Riiight... At least he can always count on Drudge, Bill Kristol and Mark Halperin to carry his water.

“The national media has written us off. Sen. Obama is measuring the drapes and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we’ve got them just where we want them.”

If John McCain were Microsoft Windows, I think we're officially up to the Vista launch. Politico asks: Reset Button or panic button? I'd wager the latter.

As always, the Obama camp tells it like it is: