Interviews with several leading Democratic Party leaders reveal that some are worried that Barack Obama's duel themes of Hope and Change are not enough for voters who are struggling.

"I particularly hope he strengthens his economic message — even Senator Obama can speak more clearly and specifically about the kitchen-table, bread-and-butter issues like high energy costs," said Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio. "It's fine to tell people about hope and change, but you have to have plenty of concrete, pragmatic ideas that bring hope and change to life."

Or, in the blunter words of Gov. Phil Bredesen, Democrat of Tennessee: "Instead of giving big speeches at big stadiums, he needs to give straight-up 10-word answers to people at Wal-Mart about how he would improve their lives."

And they're totally right: Obama keeps talking about vague hopey-changey ideas like, "increased funding for student loans," "universal health care", and " "tax breaks of $1,000 to offset payroll taxes for working families", but where are his detailed 10-word answers?

Exactly how much will gas cost next year? Will the Mets find a decent closer to replace Billy Wagner? What's my exact tax burden next year if I'm in the 25% income bracket, I'm not paying the AMT, I'm the head of household and I have capital gains exceeding $7,500?

People at Wal-Mart don't want change. They want decimals.