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The Democrats, in my opinion, had the momentum. Until Wednesday that is when they ran smack dab into the brick wall of September 11. They lost their traction over three days of remembrance and have been unable to get it back due to Iraq being thrust onto the front burner by President Bush.

I would say that the shooter is being iced.

Agree and Bush ambushed them - LOL - on Daschel's comment on waiting to see what the UN does on IRAQ.

Bush has enough ammo to destroy their (Democrats) position on IRAQ.

This is going to be FUN to watch!

I dunno. Maybe I'm the only one, but right now I don't see the war making that big a difference come Nov. 5th. The Democrats are not being perceived as openly opposed to it, but rather are getting away with their usual mushy/muddy/imply tactics. And I would be shocked if Daschle delayed a war resolution until after the election. He's not that stupid, and so the war won't be a major issue for the election. What has the GOP done to get the message COMMUNICATED to the average voter that the Dems have weakened our military and obstructed our efforts? Perception matters.

No, my guess is that at some point they'll overwhelmingly pass it, and the Dems will be able to claim they are on board. Of greater fear is that this takes place sometime in October, while the UN/diplomatic side drags its feet until Nov. Then the media shifts to all the DNC spun "local" issues and their fresh pack of lies and accusations, with not enough time left for the GOP to refute and have that refutation filter down to the average voter. Even if the UN moves fast and the war does start, this may be the political danger. And there's no guarantee that some Pandora's negative won't emerge from the start of the war.

Rather than the war, perhaps the single greatest influence that would swing votes would be for Bush to campaign hard. Not just the standard fundraising visits, but personal appeals directly to the voters. Explain how and why he NEEDS them to vote GOP, not just the usual 'vote for them because its my party.' Why it matters on the national level in a way that benefits them, why such overrides more of the same and local issues. The default mode is standing pat to slightly Dem, and it appears only Bush can give them a reason to break that pattern. But he has to communicate it, and actually campaign. He's built up a trust with Americans, and I'm amazed at how many of my liberal friends I've seen come to his defense regarding war, though they usually have the caveat that "While I disagree with him on many issues..." But with that trust for some has come a new assessment and willingness to listen. By an earnest and well reasoned appeal, Bush can use that trust to persuade some to swing on other issues. He did it before with Soc. Security privatization, and that was before the war trust. And remember, he doesn't have to persuade alot of the moderates and libs, but rather a few percent.

How bad does he want the Senate? He's been saving political capital, he's a patient man, but without the Senate he will be unable to achieve anything approaching the bold reforms needed to redefine the GOP. That's why we are painfully inching along now, the GOP does not seem to be able to communicate a message with widespread appeal that differentiates itself from the past. So we just float slowly down the same currents. While I've seen no evidence that this will take place, my gut feeling is that Bush is trying to wrap up war preparation this month, and that he will actively campaign for the GOP across the country in Oct. Which is another reason I suspect Daschle is trying to drag out the war debate as long as possible.

We'll see.