Just in case there wasn't enough drama in this campaign season, a new facet of impending gloom and doom has emerged.

The food shortages hitting the developing world, profiled in this week's Economist cover story, "The Silent Tsunami," have hit home, according to the latest spat of stories. The Washington Times profiles California Costco consumers making a "run on rice"; The New York Sun reports that "major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply," and, according to Reuters, Sam's Club has just joined the rationing trend.

If this seems a little over-the-top, it fits right in with the zeitgeist of 2008. Obama's post-Pennsylvania speech contained the usual long litany of the terrible ills facing America.

Interestingly, Hillary proved to be the polar opposite, if just for one night. In her victory speech, her smile--and her positivity--was the most genuine I've seen.