Well, a little taste, at least.

Whether today’s VP buzz over Mitt Romney comes true or proves just to be a bit of smoke and mirrors is not the issue. The willingness of the McCain campaign to pass along “valuable information” to the media and the blogosphere, in the process encouraging speculation, is a promising sign.

John McCain knew this week would be rough; the drooling media was bound to make Obama’s trip aboard a wildly celebrated tour. McCain’s face has vanished behind graphics and videos of Obama playing basketball with troops in Kuwait, greeting state leaders, and reviewing battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet, despite the love affair, it seems that McCain and his surrogates have succeeded in capturing a small foothold with this recent running-mate frenzy.  

And while it is all just talk, that is exactly why is important. Let us make no mistake: Barack Obama, no matter how liberal his views or how lacking his record, is a calculating and shrewd politician. He has demonstrated this fact repeatedly in his short time on the national stage. From his campaign’s decision to focus on the smaller, organization-friendly caucus states to accumulate delegates to the recent silence over his, eventually strong, June fundraising numbers, the Obama brand continues to run on timing and symbolism. You have got to hand it to a man that wants to make his acceptance speech in a football stadium instead of an arena.

In that light, John McCain must do everything in his power to shift the narrative.

John, you must ignore those who insist that this election is about your opponent alone. You are virtually tied in the latest Rasmussen poll. for heaven’s sake. Polls out of Michigan and Pennsylvania show promising signs despite increased Democratic registration and enthusiasm. Now is the time to set the tone and establish a clear message for the fall campaign. You can prove to the American people that their best bet for increased energy security, government accountability, and an honorable exit from the Middle East is through an McCain Administration. Something tells me that the electorate is not quite ready to hand the keys to a recent State Senator whose only true ideal is to get himself elected.

Your move, Senator. Make your own headlines rather than rely on Obama’s move to respond. As others have suggested in the past, I would go on as planned with the televised town-hall meetings. Add an empty chair on stage to remind the public of Obama’s reluctance and his ongoing refusal to campaign without the comfort of a teleprompter.

Announce major cabinet appointments during the campaign to enhance your reputation as the experienced statesman ready to lead the nation. Sec. of Energy Sarah Palin anyone? (Only if she cannot secure the Veep slot…) How about Eric Cantor for Homeland Security and Paul Ryan for OMB?

Heck, you might as well give a major speech on the floor of the Senate, one that bemoans the single-digit approval ratings of Congress and reminds the American people that you are the only thing that stands in the way of Barry & Co. leading both the Executive and Legislative branches.

Create some buzz, Senator, and I am confident you will pull this one out. You have spent your entire life serving your nation’s interests as a leader with both principle and courage. Now is not the time to cede these qualities by taking Obama’s bait and following him as if on a leash. 

Give us change we can trust, not change we think we may be able to possibly believe in.