This is a subject I have been harping on all week - ostensibly to no avail.

Mainstream journalists are continuing with this "Obama is doomed" storyline. And, in typical journalistic fashion, they offer the hypothesis in a cover-your-ass kind of way. They do not actually argue that he is doomed - they just ask it as their thesis question, which they ultimately leave unanswered. But, of course, by framing the debate, they influence the answers of all and sundry. The argument is "Obama is Dooomed" while the words read "Is Obama Doomed?" It's a good rhetorical trick if you can swing it. It would have earned me a D in Mr. Sample's AP History class back in high school - but it makes for top notch political journalism, I suppose.

The latest in this spate of stories comes from Time's Karen Tumulty. Her story subtly asks, "Out of Reach?" - and this is how it opens:

Barack Obama has just about everything going for him. At a time when the country is cranky and in the mood for a change, his is a fresh, attractive face and an inspirational message. Wherever he goes, the Illinois Senator draws huge, adoring crowds. He is raising money faster than any Democrat ever has--and from more people, including some 75,000 new donors just since June. He is building a top-notch, disciplined campaign organization, right down to the county level. His campaign has 31 offices in Iowa alone and claims this is twice as many as anyone else. What's more, his chief opponent is one of the most polarizing figures in politics. So it seems only fair to ask: Why is Obama's candidacy still idling?

She offers lots of answers for the question that closes the paragraph - but never the correct ones. So, allow me to assist by stating what I thought (at least at the beginning of the week) were obvious points.

KT: Why is Obama's candidacy still idling?

JC: Because the race has not really begun! Because he has wisely not been spending any money on advertising! Because he does not have the advantage (or disadvantage) of being a known quantity like Hillary Clinton! Because voters are not paying all that much attention! Because the polls reflect the media dialogue, and therefore the media's infatuation with the Clinton campaign! And on and on and on.

Bottom line: Obama's Q3 report is probably going to show at least $30 million in cash on hand. Maybe more. Let us pause for a moment and reflect on the significance of that money ( I can't believe we need to take a moment and do that, but apparently we do). Let us not get overwhelmed by a WMUR poll and lose our cool. Let us remember that $30 million can buy a lot of stuff. One of the things it can buy is a shift of frame in a political campaign. Let us remind ourselves, while we are paused here for a moment, that this freshman senator has something like two billion individual donors and has taken no money from political action committees. This guy is the real deal, ok? He's the real deal. And Clinton is going to have a race on her hands.

Look - I'm not saying that I am favoring Obama to win the Democratic nomination. Right now, I would spread my money around. This will be another instance of the Democratic party choosing between an establishment candidate and an insurgent candidate. The party has chosen either type of candidate at different times. Clinton and Obama are the most professional, polished, and highest quality of both types of candidates that have come down the pike in a long while. So, I am expecting a barn burner. And so should you.

So journalists, take a lesson from the Fonz and just be cool. Your storyline this week is the most egregious example of putting the cart before the horse I have seen all campaign season - and that is saying something. I know that your editors are on your backs to write about the campaign, and the chill in the air you felt last week reminded you that elections are coming. But it is SEPTEMBER. The season just got here. It isn't over. It's just started. So chill out.