A close election?

Columbia Daily Tribune

As long as the Democrat presidential candidates were known as the Nine Dwarfs, life was easier for them all. They were regarded as quaint outsiders holding forth in the wilderness.

However, now that Sen. John Kerry has achieved strong front-runner status, he's a big target. Plenty of shooters will be taking aim. But ... George W. Bush is not sure whom to worry about.

Kerry and Edwards will spend energy campaigning against each other, reducing their focus on the president. This is good and bad for all the campaigners. It will make life somewhat easier for Bush, at least temporarily. It might make life easier for Kerry and Edwards because the president will not yet be able to aim his full campaign arsenal at either man.

My initial impressions of Edwards were not that positive, but as he continues his campaign he seems to gain credibility. His intellect and toughness come through more clearly as the campaign progresses. ... If he'd just let his hair down a little.

I jest about hair. ...

Most Democrat primary voters, it seems, continue to concentrate on electability. Which candidate is most likely to beat Bush? Kerry has been receiving more votes on this basis, but that might be misleading. A candidate chosen for more substantive reasons, such as whether voters trust or agree with him, might produce a more formidable general election warrior, after all.

Regardless, I'm thinking the November election might be much closer than anyone thought several months ago. Smart election horse race analysts think it might come down to a few close swing states, like Missouri and Florida. ...

If the Democrat can become credible on how to manage the war on terror, including resolution in Iraq, the incumbent had better watch out. The axis of evil that many people see in Washington might be broken up. -- Henry J. Waters III