Yes, it really looked like Rachel needed that moment as a release.

Throughout tonight I thought she was just one more Uncle Pat comment away from going all Zinedine Zidane on him. Even mild mannered Eugene Robinson was quick to jump into the fray from across the desk just to quiet Uncle Pat.

I truly think that Uncle Pat will have Howard Beale moment Thursday night when confronted with the reality that Senator Obama just might deliver a tremendous speech at Mile High. Get ready to duck Rachel - it could be very ugly and sad.

Also, I think Gene Robinson made a great point that got a bit lost in the battle between Rachel & her buddy. He said that the decision to go light on the hardcore slams against McCain may be a strategy directed at wooing the Republican moderates (few as there are) and those generally conservative leaning independents who realize that they really made a big mistake in voting for Bush twice.

If Obama and the Dems really go after McCain (with the complete laundry list of slams we know from our days listening to TRMS) in this nationally televised setting, some of those moderates & independents may be turned off, thinking it's just business as usual by these scary lefty Dems. However, by going all soft and family oriented (for the most part), Obama and the Dems appear to be an acceptable alternative (at least this once) for these people on the fence.

These folks might be the difference in a close election as we know the hardcore Dems & GOPers will eventually get behind their candidate.

It's a calculated strategy to not use these nights to pummel McCain & the GOP but I'm guessing that they (Obama Camp) really don't want to look too scary to these casual politicos who really aren't the political junkies we are. My guess is that the real hard body slams will start to come on the campaign trail by Biden & surrogates when the media spotlight isn't that bright. Risky to use the convention coverage in this way but is in keeping with the Obama new politics mantra.

It is also based on the hope that McCain will eventually get frustrated and have an explosive tirade in front of a live camera. I think that's where Biden's long time Senate career will come in handy, knowing exactly what will set McCain off. Dropping a few F-bombs or maybe calling a persistent female reporter a none too polite term might just sway a few of those undecideds who voted for Bush before.

Stay tuned, eh.