As this race goes down to the wire, I'm becoming convinced President Obama may need a "Hillary on the eve of the 2008 New Hampshire primary" moment.
Hear me out.
He needs to do something to get complacent voters to identify with him and to want to fight for him (and get to the polls!), especially women.
Remember what happened in New Hampshire in 2008. Obama was surging, Hillary looked like she might come up short. Her supporters were getting demoralized.
She was asked a question and suddenly got slightly emotional. She talked about how much she cared about this country and didn't want to see us slip backwards. She let the veil of steely self-control slip. She looked sincere.
Suddenly, complacent voters wanted to get out and help her across the finish line.
I'm not saying Obama needs to tear up (though it would be an astounding moment the media would love). But he needs to break the cool, controlled veneer, if for just a moment. It would break through and stop Romney's momentum because it would be a sudden change of narrative.
He should say something like: "I love this country and have devoted my life over the last 4 years to delivering us safely through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Coming back from something like that takes more than 4 years.
I desperately do not want to see us turn back now, just when we're on the right road.
I don't want to risk everything we have all worked so hard for.
I am asking for your vote and continued trust and support."
Short but sincere, with feeling.