I was once upon a time pessimistic too, but not so much now. Bush is doing a bit better than some of these polls are saying, so don't worry. Kerry's direction is not the right one for this country, and at least half the country believes that, so we'll be okay.
Your comparing of Carter to Kerry, I think, is right on. I've compared the two repeatedly. Weak military, weak intelligence, lots of social programs, too much internationalism, willingness to give too much away, and the list goes on. But at least the make-up of Congress is much different, so if Kerry would get in they'll fight him for sure.
Just a week more to go - I think we're all getting a bit tired of it.