The change could be as simple as both of them have noticed that Russ Feingold (even though he is too far left to be serious) has begun the 2008 campaign and these two wanted to make sure their campaigns were also underway.....or
The shrill nature is what I see as a vintage Democrat kneejerk move to divert attention from Bush's good news. This is an old Bill Clinton tactic and Bush was certain to gain respect for actually killing bad guys after the MSM pooped on it....so, The Tree and SWSRN (both of whom learned this tactic at the foot of the master) decided to make shrill attacks on things that they felt would still resonate.
Diversion? Yes, possible. And maybe away from the Barrett report as well