As this “eternal campaign” — after all it began in 2006 — edges closer to the final days, the Undecideds are begining to pay closer attention to the nuances and differences of the candidates of choice. After all, it really is up to the Undecideds now since the camps have pretty well been drawn and all the polling says it is essentially neck and neck.

Presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain hammers at his opponent’s lack of experience in world affairs and executive leadership.

Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama counters by bringing in Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate.

Check.

On the day of Obama’s dramatic nomination acceptance speech, he slams McCain as being too tied to the Washington of the past. The next day, McCain trumps any polling bump from the Denver convention by selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a fresh, conservative, female maverick well out of the Beltway.

Counter Check.

The tickets are now chosen and a new line of debate ensues.

The choice of Biden makes any attacks against McCain as tied to the old Washington politics hollow, since Biden was sitting pretty close to McCain during the same time period.

The choice of Palin makes any arguments against Obama as lacking experience very vulnerable since she’s only been governor for less than two years.

On the plus side, McCain is banking on Palin to re-energize the GOP, especially the conservative wing, since Palin is pro-life. And the choice shows he is clearly reaching out to those voters who feel Obama denied Clinton her opportunity to become the first female president.

Obama brought out Biden to placate those who seek some depth of Washington experience and feel a little uneasy with an untested candidate.

But it must be said the selection of Palin, as surprising as it was, was a great strategic stroke that came at a time McCain needed to energize his party.

And the timing of the announcement — the day after Obama’s Denver “party” — was as well executed and as risky as the Democrats’ gambit of having Obama’s acceptance played out at an NFL stadium.

Now, while this long, drawn-out campaign nears its end, the fireworks will truly begin. And the table has been set for the GOP in St. Paul to show just what moves are left on the chessboard.