Oh, and let me interject one final point as a note of optimism. In terms of polling, this 2004 election to me seems more like 1976 (as I've mentioned before) and 1948 (which I didn't experience, but based on the pattern) than it does 1980 or 1992 - to which it's more frequently compared. Therefore, to me at this juncture, this suggests a come-from-behind surge for GWB much more so than a downward spiral.
What it definitely does not evoke is 1972, 1984, or 1996.
The 1976 parallel was suggested in an article about today's ABC/WPost poll.
Gerald Ford also had to contend with a serious primary challenge, and I believe that Reagan was only dozens of delegates away from toppling Ford. Nevertheless, Ford nearly pulled off an electoral college victory.