Rasmussen is just out with their daily tracking poll and it too shows McCain ahead...by ONE point. We will see shortly what Gallup's daily tracking poll offers for further guidance in characterizing the state of the race, but the Rasmussen result paints a very different picture than the McCain +10 message in the USA/Gallup likely voters numbers released this morning, suggesting it is back to where we were pre-convention, i.e. tied.

But meanwhile, as those on the Left process the reality that the Palin Pick may not pan out to be the disaster for McCain it originally appeared to be, may even be the game changer McCain hoped it would be, the key is to stay calm, keep breathing and Don't Panic!

Remember Napoleon said "Morale is worth a division." His reasoning? If folks believe they have a chance, they do, even if the odds against them are daunting. Conversely, those who think all is lost are easy prey, even if their position is quite tenable. We are talking mind games here, true, but mental toughness is oft the difference between winning and losing. Panic also leads to counter-productive self-flagellation that only tends to drive down morale further. This is NOT an argument for inaction. It IS an argument for action that springs from the kind of clear thinking that is not possible when clouded by needless negativity.

So as I believe Obama is a strong leader, he is probably saying now to his campaign is something like: "Okay let's say it - McCain made a nice play. Let's give him that. We didn't see this one coming. Now instead of reacting to them, getting caught up in their game plan, what are WE going to do to get the initiative back? Remember, we are the movement that represents REAL change in this race, so let's make this next move a bold one."

To help them out on this one, what are YOUR suggestions for some game changers that can reframe the narrative to Obama's benefit?