Barack to Democrats: "Seriously, Chill"

Do I worry that McCain's moved up a couple points in the tracking polls, sort of, while O was on vacation? Would I in my heart prefer Barack call for impeachment and promise sweeping war crimes trials? Do I want McCain's adultery front and center, with a endless parade of witnesses? Am I itching to have Cindy McCain face off Mothers Against Drunk Drivers? I have an impulse to all these things but that's not really the point.

"Democrats, because we've burned in the last few elections, get nervous and skittish right around this time," Obama said. "They say, 'oh no, here the Republicans come - they're so mean and they're going to be doing all these things. Obama is a funny name and who knows what they're going to do.' "

The audience laughed nervously.

"So keep your stress to a minimum," he instructed them.

Rare. O is a Democrat with a genuine ability to understand when to not twitch, kvetch, and run around waving your arms and going "meep meep meep!" like a crazy person - cool when cool counts. For once, traditional Democratic party hand-wringing is not coming from the candidate.

Which is what you call your leadership.