"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:2gg05hF2edj5U1@uni-

.....Bush, arguably a
popular if not accomplished POTUS, is doing so poorly compared to an
Eastern establishment pol who is cerebral and complex.

But he's not doing poorly; why do you make such an obviously contrived
statement? Half the country (+/-) think W is doing the right things and
doing them reasonably well. My sense is that a substantial portion of
Kerry's support is there simply because he is *not* Bush. Back during the
primary season, Kerry surged during the last week of the Iowa campaign
because he was *not* Dean, who already had people feeling skittish. He
solidified his position through NH and later because he was *not* Clark, who
couldn't quite figure out big league politics, and because he was *not*
Edwards, who in my view couldn't get traction outside SC because his syrupy
smooth southern tongue reminded too many people (nervously) of the previous
eight years.

Bottom line is that Kerry has wound up where he is because he has shown
people who he isn't. But nobody really knows how much support there is
based on who he is. I personally think there are a lot of people who will
talk Kerry right through October, but go with W in the voting booth.