Overheard conversation between Michelle Obama spokesperson and Christine Gregoire's campaign representative prior to Obama's speaking at a Gregoire fundraiser in Seattle:

Gregoire Representative:  So, what topics will Michelle be covering today?

Obama Spokesperson:  Hope and change, of course.

Gregoire Representative:  Yeah, about that whole "change" bit...

Obama Spokesperson: You mean we shouldn't talk about that?

Gregoire Representative:  No, that's not a theme of our campaign.  Actually, our opponent is using that theme.  He's making these ridiculous claims that our state isn't doing so well because "the same people have been doing the same thing for so long."  We thought Barack made some good points when he was in Seattle and we'd like to hear about those.

Obama Spokesperson: Yeah, Barack gave an excellent speech and talked about how our country is so messed up because the same people have been doing the same thing for so long, and I know he...

Gregoire Representative:  That's not going to work for us.  Is there anything else Michelle can talk about?

Obama Spokesperson:  There's hope.

Gregoire Representative:  Hope is good.

Obama Spokesperson:  We sure think so.  Especially when it's tied to the idea of change.

Gregoire Representative: Ok, we can't go there.

Obama Spokesperson: Oh, right.  Perhaps we can talk about change from the perspective that our country certainly needs change, but only in certain places.  If change isn't needed, we shouldn't change.  Even though change is good on the whole, it's clear Washington doesn't need change.

Gregoire Representative:  Well that's a start, but perhaps it needs some polishing.  We need to be careful about hope, too.  We want people to know that with our candidate, there's hope for the future, but that hope has been around, too.

Obama Spokesperson:  Has there been hope during her first term?

Gregoire Representative:  We'd like to think so, but we don't want you to make it sound as though there hasn't been any hope of late.  In other words, your message should be something like "hope is great and we need more of it, but remember that we've had a lot these past four years, too."

Obama Spokesperson:  Gotcha.