A political maxim holds that you can't beat Somebody with Nobody. It largely explains why Mitt Romney was having trouble going head-to-head against President Obama.

The incumbent is a much more skillful and confident campaigner, and polls show many Americans like him, despite being unhappy with his policies and the country's direction. Obama is definitely a Somebody and that's an advantage.

Romney, wooden and rich, was a fat target for the White House's vicious personal attacks. Despite the president's economic record, Romney was proving to be a Nobody among many voters, including independents and even some Republicans. He was on a path to defeat.

But a major transformation is happening before our eyes. Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate is reframing the race and setting new terms of engagement.

Suddenly, instead of Somebody vs. Nobody, the campaign is becoming Something vs. Nothing. Because of Ryan's substantive agenda and ability to articulate it, the GOP ticket is now the Something running against the Democrats' Nothing.