More than a few of those Bush backers who recently were whistling merrily along, not a care in the world, are darting uneasy glances at polls showing Al Gore with huge gains. A professional busybody makes bold to advertise the conviction to which he held at the height of the whistling, and still holds. You bet your life Gore could win. As could Bush.
Political conventions bring clarity to just about any extended campaign.
Voters quit matching Republican against Republican, Democrat against Democrat. They start matching Republican against Democrat. Any Republican who doubts the pull and puissance of the Democrats has been watching too many old Ronald Reagan movies. The Democrats speak to and for a broad swath of the population. The Democrats themselves understand this.