[prophetic]

I'll predict that Kerry's face will be MUCH worse for it when he sees the outcome post Election day.

He'll be so shocked to discover the size of the landslide that Bush won and the states which Kerry & the Democrats has taken for granted goes over to Bush by a very significant margin.

[dufekin]

From what I see, many Southerners are open to Kerry; however, once they become more acquainted with his positions on the issues, they will consolidate overwhelmingly behind Bush. Kerry's position on abortion and his association with the only state where John and Edward, both male, can call themselves married -- not joking here -- will cost him the Catholic vote, which is key to unlocking Louisiana.

He's not a Southerner, as Southerners will learn when he visits their states. With the exception of Florida and perhaps Arkansas if he can get Clinton's good graces, I predict that Kerry will lose every Southern state by at least 10 points.

His inability to get the Catholic vote will also cost Kerry New Mexico, and Bush will prevail overwhelmingly in every state in the Intermountain West and High Plains.

P.S. I'm looking for recent polls for New Mexico.

In order for Kerry to win without adopting and maintaining convincing positions palatable to voters in flyover country, he must work hard in the North and East and hold the Pacific coast. He has to energize voters. Can he do it? Not with his daily flip-floppery and dour speeches as rousing as a protracted Senate filibuster.