I pray to god that Kerry and his advisers don't think we need another asshole to participate in the Politics of Fear campaign.

Kerry needs to do two things in the first debate: first, end once and for all the flip flop label. Think Ronald Reagan responding to the issue of his advanced age. Without a hint of irony, his "I won't hold my opponent's youth and inexperience against you" to Mondale was the right line at the right time. Kerry needs to as simply as possible make clear that people who think about issues and pay attention to changing events often need to rethink their position. He shouldn't be afraid of it - but he can't get bogged down in detail either. Keep it light, keep it clear and shut them all up on the flip flop issue.

And second, he should make Bush II apologize for Cheney's remark about "the wrong choice" leading to another terrorist attack on our soil. We shouldn't be thinking of attacks only on this soil - the beheading of any American citizen is a terrorist attack -- and it's being done on Bush II's watch. And to manipulate and capitalize on people's greatest fear is a symptom of true evil. He should be as forceful and outraged as...I am. Without raising his voice, without losing control. Show them who the grownups are and let America know amateur hour in Washington is over.

Well, at least it's a start.