Anti-repatriation from the start. Made much of this in Republican debates. Claims this has been his stance all along and has nothing to do with the battle for the Cuban-American swing vote in Florida. Most press reports sound amused and charmed rather than testy about Bush's ability to rise above the details. He is making himself look more like Reagan and less like Quayle.
Unstated caution is that if opinion is so positive now, it's bound to change.
End of primary debates means no attacks from fellow Republicans and no exposure to annoying knowledge tests. McCain rapprochement lacks warmth and sincerity but at least ends open hostilities. Upbeat, affable personality is coming to the fore. Things are getting worse. Drift of the economy and markets adds nervous background threat to what has been Gore's killer issue.