The telling factor: About 56 percent of respondents said Kerry mostly says what "people want to hear," rather than what he believes.
It seems a lot of Americans have been facing reality lately. I respected the way President Bush didn't promise us a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. He promised to defend us while we work for our own fortunes; he also said he wanted to let us keep a larger percentage of our earnings. I like the idea of privatized social security, for example. I also like the idea of larger retirement investment ceilings that permit me to shelter my income before the government even sees it. I'm sure others feel the same way: if the government stands aside, I can take better care of myself no matter who's in office.