The media needs to stop being played like a pack of mules and start asking real questions like what does John McCain actually stand for, how will he improve the economy, and why does his campaign feel the need to act like a 3rd grader on sugar with a box of crayons... just muckin up the whole scene.

As observed though, it seems to be having effect

After weeks of being reactive, he's now driving the debate.

Of course, he's doing so by making it about the other guy.   But better a race about Obama than a referendum on Bush or the economy.

Which makes the question of "Why does John McCain only talk about Obama" all the more powerful. I'd love to see a hard hitting ad to the effect, with an expose second act showing just what McCain stands for:

Tax Breaks for the Rich
Taxing employee based insurance premiums
Expanding the deficit by $3.2Billion

Update: Extended quote

"We want to have a serious debate. But so far, we've been hearing about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I do have to ask my opponent: is that the best you can come up with? Is that really what the election is about? Is that worthy of the American people? Even the media has pointed out...that McCain has fallen back into ... predictable political attacks and demonstratively false statements... Spending all this time talking about me instead of talking about what he's going to do. That's not going to lower your gas prices. That's's not going...to help you find a job if it's been shipped overseas. It doesn't do a single thing to help the American people. It's the politics of the game. But the time for game-playing is over. That's why I'm running for President."....