Tuesday, March 09, 2004

Prepare Yourself

There's lots of good news right now. Unfortunately, it won't last.

We've got exacty 34 weeks -- 238 days -- until the election. It's gonna be a tough 7 1/2 months. I think Josh Marshall pretty much pegs it when he writes that recent Republican attacks are akin to the actions of a cornered, wounded animal. Bush's gentle ripostes of recent days will become increasingly sharp, shrill and extreme in the coming months. As the Republican attack machine ratchets up the rancor we can expect the Democrats to do the same. It is already clear to Dubya and his cronies that this is not his father's Democratic opponent. For that, at least, we can all be thankful. But Bush's present weakness only means that his attacks will get more fierce more quickly. It's going to be an ugly summer and fall.

UPDATE: Calpundit has a more complete round-up of first week campaign shenanigans.