Panic on the streets

Signs the Bush campaign is falling apart?

One senior Republican strategist not affiliated with the campaign said he began to think the Bush camp might be nervous when it launched a hard-edged ad that misquoted Kerry as describing terrorism as a "nuisance."

"I would describe that as almost flailing," the strategist said. "They went from having a very buttoned-up message where it was very defined, very provable, and it has consistently gotten more high-pitched, more shrill and less documentable. That to me is a very defensive position, as opposed to offensive."

In addition to the president's unusual appearance in the media section of Air Force One, senior Bush advisers who customarily do not return phone calls from reporters or make themselves available for interviews are now increasingly available.

In the last two weeks, campaign strategist Karl Rove has been making nearly daily visits to the media filing center during campaign stops, not just to serve up sunny assessments of the race but playing practical jokes on reporters.

Likewise, senior adviser Karen Hughes has frequently spent as much as 45 minutes with reporters, even while the president is talking on stage.

"Everybody is a little on edge," said a senior House Republican strategist. "But I don't think they are viewing it as widespread erosion. By the middle of next week you might have a better idea."

Josh Marshall warns Democrats not to get to comfy just yet. Digby does, too.