I've avoided, up till now, all temptation to join the blogger chorus telling Axelrod, Plouffe and Co. how to run a winning campaign. But at the peak of the Palin bounce, before the current financial unpleasantness began, I did get an idea. Now that the Wall St. shitstorm has hit, it's an even better idea. It's just a bit counter-intuitive: Level with the voter. Polls show Obama is more trusted on the economy, and the economy is now the No. 1 campaign issue. So capitalize on it, and in the process demolish McCain's last claim to be the straight-talker in this debate. Look the voters in the eye and tell them how, even if a slightly tweaked bailout bill passes, the country is almost certainly heading into a hard recession, if not worse. That a four-year term won't be enough to turn things around, and eight years may be just enough time to begin turning things around. Tell voters again, as Obama did during the debate, that some of his cherished goals and projects may have to come off the fast track, but won't be abandoned. That some goals -- specifically universal health care -- will remain priorities. But reassure people that, if everyone puts aside petty partisanship and pulls in the same direction, the country will get through the economic rough patch and emerge stronger. It won't be exactly what people want to hear, but -- in this vacuum of leadership -- it may very well be precisely what people want to hear. Try it, David and David. It will seal the deal. If this makes sense to you, please rec. I'd like the word to filter up to the campaign.