Dan Balz notes in today's Washington Post that, so far, the campaign between a "change agent" and a "reforming maverick" is just one big dose of the same old, same old:

A campaign between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain once offered enormous possibilities for something new. Instead, the two presumptive nominees have opened their campaigns for the White House with what looks and sounds like a repeat of the kind of politics both have promised to leave behind.

Since Obama (D-Ill.) wrapped up the Democratic nomination a few weeks ago, he and McCain (R-Ariz.) have served up a series of indignant exchanges over foreign policy, terrorism, the economy, energy and campaign money. Their aides have gone further, with snarling put-downs in conference calls and taunting e-mails that flow constantly out of the Chicago and Crystal City headquarters.

Balz cites the campaign's rising "negativity and petulance," "hyperagressiveness," high "testosterone levels," and the resurgence of the "attack-counterattack cycle":

On a host of issues, the differences between the candidates are profound and should provoke a vigorous debate. Both candidates once promised that such a debate would be civil and respectful. But right now the presidential campaign appears to be more a rerun of the kind of polarized battles of the recent past than something that heralds something new.

Ah, politics as usual. "Change," it turns out, is pretty easy to say. When elections are on the line, well...it might just have to take a back seat.