You know, the timing couldn't be better.

This is going to get much of the base fired up for the convention, sensing blood in the water.  Many who were wringing their hands about the softness of Obama's campaign can quit their 'whining' now, and join in the fray.  

And, it gives Dem's what to me is a perfectly legitimate, and really honest if not nuanced line of attack on McCain.  The fact that they are piling on the Whining comments with the $5 million comments and this new house Gaffe demonstrates that they know a good trifecta of 'out-of-touchness' when they see it!

And the McCain response - that Obama had $4 million in income last year - is so priceless, considering that McCain said that you need $5 million to be considered rich!!!

Really, who needs staff to be able to say how many houses they own?

Vaguely senile Washington insiders and trophy husbands.

"We're delighted to have a real estate debate with Barack Obama," said spokesman Brian Rogers, adding that the press should focus on Obama's house. "It's a frickin' mansion. He doesn't tell people that. You have a mansion you bought in a shady deal with a convicted felon."

snip

That's fair game now," he said. "You are going to see more of that now that this issue has been joined. You'll see more of the Rezko matter from us."

snip

He also added: "This is a guy who lived in one house for five and a half years -- in prison," referring to the prisoner of war camp that McCain was in during the Vietnam War.

snip

"In terms of who's an elitist, I think people have made a judgment that John McCain is not an arugula-eating, pointy headed professor-type based on his life story."

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/8/21/1430 25/113

And we're on offense now - isn't it awesome?

Awesome. I want to see the Barack Obama of the Pennsylvania primary. Go get em!

The alternative narrative track (one that Netroots can do independent of the campaign):

McCain's not dumb, he's duplicitous.  He saw the recorder, he knew there would be audio of the interview--he would rather be painted as someone who doesn't know how many homes he owns than have a tape of him saying "Cindy and I have seven houses, depending on how you count the cabins in Sedona and the luxury condos."

Because the obvious follow-up if he says the number is to ask where they are.  It's not that he didn't know, it's that he didn't want to be on tape reciting a list of his luxury properties while middle-class Americans are staring foreclosure in the eye.

The Straight-Talk Express got a flat (or hit another minivan).

Considering how Barack came to "own" his house.  Including a mortage with Countrywide.  The fact he has raised over 500 million dollars.  A half a billion dollars to buy the White House.  I don't consider that middle class.

Its better than nothing, but if Cindy comes out and says she's the real estate maven and asks if Obama wants his wife attacked too, this could turn bad.

I don't think the Rezko angle has any wear left, but who knows.

And the perfect timing too as we go into the Convention.