My thoughts as a Republican

[Shira]

I hate to say it, but I am now cautiously optimistic (very, very cautiously)
This mood can within few minutes turn the other way.

[Shira]

Bear...I just remember vividly the Carter administration. I remember the gas lines, run away inflation and the troubles in Iran where Carter acted like a duck hit over the head with a rock when it came to solving that crisis. I just never thought we would have another president with the same mindset as Carter. Kerry just reminds me so much of Carter.

Kerry = Clinton - smile - Monica

[Shira]

If we get Kerry, we get 4 years of incompetancy worse than Jimmy Carter and 4 years of paranoia worse than Richard Nixon.

Uhh, what?

As to your map, WI and in particular IA are more likely to be blue, than MN.

[Shira]

However, I think you may have the last laugh Nov 2. Maybe...

I hope you are right. I am far from being confident, but I am more confident today than a week ago.

Keep in mind: there is not a real difference between Kerry and Clinton. They are both pragmatic. Both, for example, very badly whould like to extend Medicare to the whole population. But because they are realistic they are willing to wait until the proper moment.