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Five chiefs of staff and one ex-governor came together at a Wilmington Rotary club meeting pull the curtain back on the recent governors and themselves during a panel discussion. Mike…

We already know how they work this scab. The routine invocation of President Obama (even trying to smear those who support him) as the Other isn't even debatable. Take a look at this picture and tell me what you think:

Ed Kilgore:

Having slept on it, and read this morning's ruminations from near and far, I haven't had any blazing new insights on last night's vice-presidential debate, but am convinced more than ever that Biden's performance, whatever its effect on swing voters, dispelled a dark cloud over the Democratic tribe. And that's not just because it might have interrupted Romney's "momentum" or countered the president's "loss" last week. In retrospect, what dispirited an awful lot of Democrats about the first presidential debate was that it emblemized the fear that in an intense, high-stakes battle with an ascendant and radicalized conservative movement, progressive elected officials just didn't have the willingness or ability to make a full and passionate case for their own cause. That was at the heart of criticisms not only of the president's demeanor, but also of his many missed opportunities to rebut Romney and expose the rickety substructure of the mendacious self-presentation Moderate Mitt was attempting. And this is obviously a complaint that's been just under the surface of mixed progressive attitudes towards Obama and many other Democratic leaders for years now.

Damn straight. We want fighters. The President let us down last week but he can recover. I know he is not as fiery as Biden and has a more measured "keep cool and calm" temperament, but the moment calls for righteous indignation and a fervent defense of all the good he has done. He is the most accomplished President since President Roosevelt. That is not spin, that is the fact. He needs to forcefully defend all he has done and will continue to do. He failed last week but hopefully he was taking notes on Air Force One while he was watching his Vice President fillet Congressman Ryan. Sure we don't expect Biden's laughter and eye rolls and the Biden Smile. But we expect the Obama smile and the patented Obama "That's Not True." I can hear it being said forcibly in my mind because the President has said it before. Now is not the time for politeness. Or kindness. If Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are going to lie they need to be called on it repeatedly. By the way, here is a pic of the President on Air Force One watching the debate:

You know what's the difference between Sarah Palin and Paul Ryan? Lipstick.

Florida and Colorado move to the red column today, and it takes the President's electoral college vote number down to the lowest point since before the summer. But no worries, since the statewide polling has now caught up to the Romney debate bounce reflected in the national polls earlier in the week. Now we get to see how Vice President Biden's performance last night and how President Obama's second debate affect the race. Here is the map:

The News Journal is out with a story by Jonathan Starkey and James Fisher concerning Bodenweiser's continued absence from the campaign trail and the confirmed existence of a criminal investigation into Bodenweiser personally. Here are the relevant details from the story about that investigation.

The Delaware Democratic Party today filed a formal complaint with the FEC against Independent Senate candidate and all around crazy man Alex Pires, and his campaign committee. The Dems allege that on numerous occasions Pires has improperly used the staff and resources (financial and otherwise) of several of Pires-owned local bars, restaurants and nightclubs downstate. Further the complaint alleges that Pires has not followed the disclaimer requirements regarding campaign advertisements and materials, which provide to the public information as to which organization or candidate is responsible for the material. In response to this complaint, take a look at this amazing and self destructive statement from Alex Pires:

"(1) Mr. Carper beat his first wife, (2) Mr. Carper beat his second wife, and (3) Mr. Carper repeatedly lies about his military record- Mr. Carper has never set foot in Vietnam, was not and is not a Vietnam Vet, yet brags about having done three tours in Vietnam. In retaliation, he complains to the FEC that I gave three older ladies pieces of chicken from Jimmy's Grill- the best chicken in Delaware."

Old time politicos in this state will remember this "Carper beats his wife" tactic from the failed campaign of a once rising GOP star named Janet Rzewnicki, the State Treasurer at the time she ran against Governor Carper in 1996. It failed then and destroyed her career for a simple reason: it was not true. May it now destroy and bankrupt Alex Pires.

This one has to much Palin for my tastes, but it reminds us how he handled a conservative wunderkind. Come inside for some more Biden debate videos.