>>>but there wasn't the ebullience you saw among the Democrats.

   The first problem for the Democrats is that everyone of us is full of ebullience - except the nominee, Senator Kerry. The second problem for them is that it seems like every one of them - in everyday conversations, in letters to the editors, in documentaries, in fact, just about everywhere you go, look, or listen - is able to make slam-dunk arguments devastating to George W. Bush - every Democrat, that is EXCEPT Senator Kerry, who is the most dull, incoherent, and incompetent Democratic presidential nominee ever. This man, who I understand was Michael "Mr. Excitement" Dukakis' lt. governor, was clearly chosen for that role because even as he as he towered over Mini-Mike in physical stature, he could be overshadowed by him in the charisma department. After the interregnum of the Clinton years, we are back to abysmally incompetent loser candidates. Is this a reflection on the politicians, or on the Democratic voters?