If he can't make this in the Palin counterprogramming window (NBC and CBS will broadcast live to counter Charlie's puffpiece Palin celebrity lifestyle interview), he should deliver it prime time when in Colorado next MOnday -- perfect bookend to his acceptance speech at Invesco;

Obama should deliver a prime-time speech Thurs or Friday (steal Palin media attention) on 21st century politics -- exactly akin to his race speech when the right attacked him this summer over Reverend Wright (unintended ironic homonym there...).

Speech should be soaring oration about what happened to the political discourse in this country over the last two weeks.

From 90,000 folks from all walks of life listening to normal citizens from all walks of life talking about their present and future ... and scads of great detailed policy ...

... to nothing but hate and vitriol around lipstick and hairdos.

He should do what he does best -- lead the way to the conversation we need to have, not the hate-fest we've come to...

That would put the McPainiacs completely on the defensive -- they then would have to justify their attacks and victim-play, or actually talk substance.