Here's a key quote from Jonathan's Alter's Newsweek column:
The list of troubling portents is growing long.... and an angry, bunker mentality among aides that one GOP operative, fearing excommunication from Team McCain if identified, describes as "lacking only a Luger and a cyanide pill."
Where Have You Gone, John?
Alter's column has been diaried previously... but it bears rereading, especially in a week when posters are in despair about daily tracking polls and McCain's ads.
There is a persistent theme in many of today's posts: McCain is overtaking Obama! Obama needs to change his campaign!
More objective (and high information) observers - Alter among them - realize that McCain's in big trouble. It's not just that he is ruining his brand, it's that he has no good options.
Look at the state of the race according to various electoral vote counters:
Real Clear Politics
Obama 238 McCain 163
FiveThirtyEight.com
Obama 303 McCain 235
My Due Diligence
Obama 325 McCain 213
Mindgeek's Daily Kos Post
Obama 331 McCain 207
Zogby (Thanks, GoNaked)
Obama 273 McCain 146
Open Left
Obama 264 McCain 172
It isn't close, folks. And with the map stretched ... no blue state in play... this is a campaign to enjoy