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I think the traction to be derived from voting records is exaggerated (except maybe on national security issues). Kerry will have to reinforce it all in the campaign, and he is not going to do that. The man is too skillful. Bush needs to show progress in Iraq, progress in the job count, and somehow explain away the ballooning deficit. Moreover, Bush needs to show he is more than a genial somewhat inarticulate guy, with a shaky handle on details. Bush is not Reagan, and Kerry is NOT Mondale or Dukakis. Thus the scheduled Bush grilling by Russert. It will be very interesting to see how Bush holds up. I am impressed by his willingness to submit to the Russert BBQ.