Why Kerry's #1 priority has been to establish himself as a war leader

[geek tragedy]

http://www.mysterypollster.com/main/2004/10/the_incumbent_r.html

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Voters typically know incumbents well and have strong opinions about their performance. Challengers are less familiar and invariably fall short on straightforward comparisons of experience and (in the presidential arena) command of foreign policy.
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Pay no attention to the "Who is a stronger leader?" nonsense. The question is whether Kerry will be "good enough" on the issue of foreign policy and as a commander in chief. All signs point towards him doing that. If he has established his credentials in that regard, he's going to win when the undecideds break towards him.