I tend to agree with the Romney campaign not sweating the lack of an election "bounce." Of course, if President Obama gets a bounce, then you'd have to wonder. But I think the point about us being in "October mode" on September 5 is a good one. Put another way, this election is starting to feel a lot like the Wisconsin governor's recall. Both sides seem locked in with very little room for movement in the polls.

It's possible that means the debates will actually be very important this time; that small percentage of undecideds will likely pay close attention. And it's also true that Romney has established "forward equity" that's not showing up in the polls at this point. I was at the convention so I can't be objective. As a conservative I thought it was a magnificent show and yet I had a feeling Romney wouldn't get much, if any, bounce.

Yes, it feels a lot like the recall.