Good points.
I really believe that Bush will be reelected. It does concern me that 1 of our supposed major parties would nominate a "do nothing" pacifist like Kerry during this time of war.
You are right, in the end it is a referendum on the Bush Doctrine. I believe he (and the country)will prevail. If we don't then God help us - because France, Germany, and the UN certainly won't.
Too many people in this country are deluding themselves into thinking we're not really in a war.