I'm a friend of Jock's...found some of the posts here by Hynes, Bishop-Becker, Weinberger and Gill provocative, so I have a few choice words.

This election was over the minute it became clear that Kerry was the nominee. All Bush had to do was repeat the same, simple mantra, one that even his small mind can hold onto -- LSM. Liberal Senator from Massachusetts.

As a talking point, it's a deal-closer. It has many permutations, but unless you're a northeast intellectual, it's political death in America, ca 2004.

LSM is being played out now in the excuses for Bush's horrendous off-camera debate performance. Hey, Bush was pissed... he's just being natural and honest about it. Wouldn't you be pissed if you had to stand up next to the LSM for 90 minutes, listening to his smug, smooth, complete sentences, his subtle gay logic, his frenchie, flip-floppy facts?

I don't know how this ignorant, brute-force illogic gets countered in the next few weeks, though it could be if Carville was given authoritative direction in the campaign. Have Carville eat, sleep and drink with Kerry 24/7, have every speech, talking point and debate prep go through him, get him on every talkshow every day, and maybe Kerry can put a populist jacket on his lanky LSM frame.

Otherwise, America gets the leadership it deserves...and it ain't LSM.

I don't know. It's too much hard work to think about.

(Sorry, couldn't resist :)

If John Kerry is so polished and eloquent and forceful and mellifluous, how come nobody has a clue what his policy on Iraq is? As he made clear on Thursday, Saddam was a growing threat so he had to be disarmed so Kerry voted for war in order to authorize Bush to go to the U.N. but Bush failed to pass ''the global test'' so we shouldn't have disarmed Saddam because he wasn't a threat so the war was a mistake so Kerry will bring the troops home by persuading France and Germany to send their troops instead because he's so much better at building alliances so he'll have no trouble talking France and Germany into sending their boys to be the last men to die for Bush's mistake.

Have I got that right?

Faye asks, "If John Kerry is so polished and eloquent and forceful and mellifluous, how come nobody has a clue what his policy on Iraq is? "

Most people I speak with seem to have a pretty clear understanding of Kerry's policy on Iraq. It seems as if the only people who don't are those who are not listening, or are willfully distorting or attempting to distract people from the issues.

Kerry did authorize Bush to work with other countries and establish a wise plan to deal with the threat. Bush failed to work well with other countries or to establish a wise plan.

I guess working well with others or establishing a wise plan was too much work for Bush, and instead he has squandered lives, resources, and our reputation on account of his failure.

A friend of mine describes it as following. Kerry voted to allow Bush to drive the car. Bush crashed the car. It is time we get someone that knows how to drive. It is about that simple.

Aldon and Faye, this discussion reminds me of a letter I sent recently to a columnist who seemed to be having a similar problem with understanding Kerry's positions. I suggested that if she really wanted to understand, she might take the time to do some research and/or ask him about what she didn't understand until she was satisfied that she did. Otherwise, it appears as if she'd rather say she doesn't understand than make the effort.

Aldon,

I agree that Kerry voted to let Bush drive the car, but only after Bush promised not to drive recklessly -- observe and obey the rules of the road. Bush both reneged on his promise and crashed the car. We need a driver whose word is good and who knows how to drive in very difficult terrain.

Thanks,

Jock

The fact is, one of the questions was what Kerry would do and he outlined his 4 point plan, which has been consistent for months since I've followed it. I don't understand why the Bush people don't understand his plan for Iraq when he has spoon-fed the American people on what he wants to do. I'll ask you this, did Bush spoon-feed step-by-step on what he's going to do in Iraq during the debate? No, he was too busy saying he had mixed messages, he was going to stick to his guns and that since the work is too hard for his administration, he can't do it. That's what I heard. I don't know about you.