I think that what a lot of the "energized" supporters of Barak Obama get from his message of change is a real and sincere sense of hope that America can embark upon a fresh and substantially different path towards a promising and uplifting future - a future that brings real opportunity to a lot of people who today feel like they are living with a millstone around their neck.
In the face of such a positive and optimistic promise of change, the best that the McCain campaign can do is play the cynic and try to cast doubt on that hope... suggest that it's just a slogan... suggest that the hope is not real. "Don't be distracted by that inspiring hope", they are saying, "it is a false hope. There is no hope. We are the real deal, settle for us."
In this sense, I see the core message of the Republican campaign to be that hope is dead. They are playing the role of the killers of hope. "You'll accept the change that we - in the great charity of our compassionate conservative hearts decide to give you, dammit, so shut up and stop looking over there, where the hope is shiny and uplifting."
Unfortunately, John McCain can bring only minor change to America. He hasn't demonstrated the vision that can truly elevate America's prospects in the 21st century. And after going in the wrong direction for so long, a sharp turnaround is in order. The best that McCain can muster is a slight deflection. When you're heading straight for a cliff, a 15 degree change in direction isn't particularly comforting.