The positives

Much of the nation has been energized this year by the prospect of a presidential election, in large measure because they have such strong feelings (put me down for outrage exhaustion) about President Bush and his record. But it will take more than an "anybody but Bush" mentality to get out the vote on Tuesday. Just like in 2000, there are voices saying that this is a "choice of the lesser of two evils," but I just don't agree. Pandagon puts it well:

Why are people so down on Kerry? Maybe it's because I've never been politically conscious through a Democrat's term and have thus missed the sort of dashed hopes that inspire total cynicism in a well-resumed workhorse like Kerry. Maybe it's because I was looking for a president and not a candidate. Whatever it is, it makes comments like those above seem absurd. Kerry is probably one of 50 people in this country actually qualified to be president. He brings quite a bit more to the office, experience wise, than Clinton, Carter or Reagan did. He's got a history of fighting and unearthing the wrongs of government, proving himself, again and again, a man passionate about the rule of law and the role of honesty in our public life. Anyone who watched him in those debates saw that he possesses more than enough poise, knowledge and grace to deal with the job (and having done some candidate forums, let me assure you, it's a tough format). Anyone who's glanced at the advisors around him knows he's willing to learn and prizes truth over assumption. Anyone who watched him pivot in Iowa or August knows he's able to recognize when a policy or approach isn't working and swap it out for one that will. Anyone who's glanced at his Senate record, whether it be the BCCI, closing the book on Vietnam or ferreting out Iran/Contra, knows he's willing to do the hard work and heavy lifting in service of what's right.

I wish people would stop listening to the hype and take a look at what this guy has actually been up to for most of his life. It's one of the more promising resumes we're likely to see for some time.