Picture of the Day - Imaging

This is new. As careful as the Obama campaign is about imaging, I don't believe it's a mistake or happenstance that these images suddenly started popping up Monday.

"Shirtsleeve photos" are pretty common among campaigns, but this is a new effect.

I think they're trying to cast the subtextual message "getting ready for a fight" or "now we're getting serious," a visual rejoinder to all those who say he's not fighting hard enough, (but it seems a bit awkward, though, doesn't it?)

Just something to watch for.

(First photo at town hall meeting, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP/Alex Brandon) Second at the Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 18, 2008. (REUTERS/Jim Young))