I watched a few of the speeches over the last few days. Guliani, Schwarzenegger, McCain - caught bits of Senator Miller, Junior and his wife.

The pundits observed that the first three speakers noted were from the more moderate wing of the party, the one which is more liberal on social issues (which is probably where I would place myself).

I also caught Kerry's speeches at the American Legion convention and also the one after the RNC wrapped up.

Kerry gave a good speech at the convention but the one after the RNC just had my eyes glazing over after a few minutes.

I was speaking to someone the other day, an ardent Democratic supporter and was doing my best just to get him agitated. Our roles have been reversed in the past and I'm petty, what can I say.

There's this whole "chicken little" quality to the argument of who gets to be the next chief executive. No matter who it is, there still will be a country four years from now (contrary to what people would have you believe). That's one of our great strengths, every four years we get a chance to "throw the bums out" as it were - seems people have a tendency to forget that.

I don't know how Kerry's war record become such an issue. I don't know if he brought it on himself by playing it up or not. If that's the case, it was a big mistake. I had caught Kerry's appearance on an old Dick Cavett show on C-Span a few weeks back and afterward I was very dismayed by his performance. Clinton didn't serve and Junior and the Dick both were from rich families and were able to get deferments (no big surprise there) so, that's a non starter.

It was more the things Kerry spoke about after returning that bothered me. There probably was a bit of exaggeration but, when he spoke of witnessing atrocities and war crimes the thing that came to my mind was of him bearing silent witness to these things and allowing them to go on, not speaking out about them while there. It made me think of him as a "go-along" guy. He played the game and when it was to his advantage he changed his tune.

Now, there are people who will read that and get very upset I'm sure but, that's how it appeared to me, if you're upset try to remember you're entitled to your view as much as I am entitled to mine.

So, playing up the war record was a no-no.

Kerry also has been a Senator in abstentia as he has run for the presidency. One has to wonder how many important votes he has missed over the last few months as he's been on the stump. I was reminded that Bob Dole resigned his position as Majority leader when he decided to run back in '96. I think Kerry would have been making a very positive statement by following that example.

Anyhow, I liked those early speeches but admittedly as the convention went on and the speeches became more braying and conservative I wasn't pleased.

Fortunately, I still have time to make up my mind (which I probably won't do until I close the curtain behind me on election day).

I think there are a few things the Democrats would be wise to concede - they probably won't but, it might help them garner more support.

First off - the 2000 election is over, get past it.

Second - stop trying to put the blame for the events of 9-11 at the feet of our government (or the current administration).

Third - we're in Iraq, arguing about whether or not it was the right thing to do is a moot point. We're there and it's up to us to do the best we can by the people in that country. Just leaving isn't necessarily the best (or smartest) thing to do.

Fourth - there are some of us (yes, myself included) that don't think going into Iraq was a bad thing in the overall scheme of things. Arguing it is or was a mistake isn't helping your argument.

Fifth - don't talk about lowering the price of gasoline, it's the last thing this country needs. Talk about finding or developing ways to wean this country off of its fossil fuel jones (while you're at it, do me a favor and put a tax on everyone owning a passenger vehicle over a certain weight - sic, SUVs).

Sixth - talking about allies and them determining foreign policy is a gigantic mistake. It ties in to free trade and the out-sourcing of jobs in a sense. Allies determining foreign policy has much the same impact as membership in the WTO. Ultimately, these things may not be what's best for our nation (got to remember Pierot's comment about the gigantic sucking sound if the US signed NAFTA).

Seventh - it's the deficit, stupid. Talk about the current administration's tendency to spend, spend, spend. Creating a larger deficit isn't a good thing.

Eighth - dovetailing into that, adding federal programs at this point doesn't sound like the greatest idea. Seems like the federal government needs to tighten the belt.

Ninth - '92 was your shot at fixing health care, every time it comes up as an issue, it reminds people of the abysmal failure there was - doesn't necessarily engender confidence.

Tenth - take the frigging high-road. Stop whining about being attacked - there has been nothing but attacks on this guy since day one and he's withstood it. Suck it up and tough it out.

At the very least we all know the next few months will prove interesting..