There's a lot of reason for encouragement this morning. According to the polls at Real Clear Politics, Bush has taken a decided uptick in the daily tracking polls.

Even the liberals are appalled by Kerry's disgusting reference to Mary Cheney. When even Howard Fineman, the voice of conventional MSM opinion, criticizes Kerry for it, you know there's a problem (for Kerry, that is).

The sharp-penned-but-empty-souled Maureen Dowd also makes a passing, disparaging reference to Kerry's behavior, as she writes that she "isn't that into Kerry" (of course, she doesn't like Bush, either, but it's not like that's a shock -- she writes for The New York Times).

Along with Mary Cheney, there are a couple of other icebergs for what Hugh Hewitt has called "The Titanikerry" to worry about. This perspicacious piece notes that: "Here, then, is a danger for the Democratic contender: if Americans keep being given shrill reminders that much of the world is barracking for Kerry, it could become the kiss of death." Well said. Who wants the French to decide for whom we should vote?

And finally, if the MSM does its homework at all, this story about Democratic attempts to subvert the integrity of our elections by lodging false claims of voter intimidation should receive long, loud play. Republicans should do everything they can to make sure that voters are prepared for the disgraceful antics that the Democratic Party has up its sleeve.

But why are we surprised? A party that would destroy our confidence in the fairness of our elections has, at the head of its ticket, a man who would drag his opponent's child into the debates, in a bigoted and misguided attempt to win at any cost. Seems to me like the man and the party deserve each other.