I have consistently maintained that Bush will win and that it will not be close. Absent significant bad news on the economy or Iraq, I stand by that view.

Kerry did nothing to dispel the notion that his party is fundamentally unserious about the war – which I believe is a war of existential proportions. A US defeat here could well mean the beginning of the end of Western Civilization. In their heart of hearts, Americans know this, and they will not vote for Kerry because of it.

If Kerry wants to run as a pro-war candidate, he needs his Sister Souljah moment with the left. Otherwise, he is just Bush-lite w/r/t the war. When push comes to shove, Americans know that a vote for Kerry is tantamount to walking away from the war. Don’t underestimate the importance of a belief system. Bush has a core set of beliefs, Kerry obviously doesn’t. This hurts Kerry. The Dems should have gone with Howard Dean – at least he believed in what he was saying.