It's both substance and image. A candidate has to look comfortable and relaxed but must also know what the hell he's talking about. The Senate is also in play, but not as likely. In the House, there is now a margin of 12 seats in the GOP favor. So, Democrats have to pick up seven to take control.
Tracking polls show that the race is tightening.
One a week seems reasonable to me. Most Americans are pro-death penalty and probably think Bush is a mensch for killing so many people. And Bush is trying to get him off target. McCain still complains about how negative Bush went against him in South Carolina and Michigan. Bush will be no kinder to Al Gore.