McCain tried to dawn the popular mantle of change by pointing out what a maverick he's been; as is the wont of Republicans, he's run on being a different sort of personality rather than bringing substantively different policies or governing philosophy to Washington (what change after earmarks are banished?).  For Obama, it's always been about the substantive change in policy and, even more, in philosophy.  McCain's gambit seemed to be getting a little traction in September, and then the economelt happened, and although it brought forward an issue (the economy) that favors Democrats, I think the really devastating effect of this world-event is to introduce a scale of concern that made the 'maverick individual' seem puny and petty.  Yes, a maverick can 'shake things up,' but shaking things usually leads to a reorganization of the status quo rather than introduce real difference and change.

This difference of scale can also be seen in the way that McCain and Obama have campaigned.  McCain has lurched from one-liner to one-liner, a campaign of genuinely small-minded tactics.  Obama begins today what he calls his closing argument -- imagine, a politics of  arguments! -- which shows that what tactics he's employed have been part of an overarching strategy. 

In the end, McCain looks like the dwarf and Obama the giant.  It's becoming clear to more and more people which figure and give us the change we need.  I predict an landslide -- 350 electoral votes.