The Ground Game

David Plouffe held a conference call with reporters today, arguing that the map is looking solid for Obama. The best part:

He added that the campaign is "surprised" by McCain's campaign performance in the Granite State, "We'd thought there might be a chance he'd over-perform in New Hampshire, given his history with the voters there." Instead, the Palin pick has driven away McCain’s traditional independent base in New Hampshire, Plouffe added.

The most surprising story of this whole campaign is the total collapse of McCain's brand as a maverick or a moderate. But it's a self-inflicted wound.