The Real Election Race Begins Now

As the Democrats nominate John Kerry this week, the face of the two campaigns will come more into focus.

Mr. Bush will continue unabated to smear Mr. Kerry. Mr. Kerry will focus on how this country can do things better under his administration.

Two questions come to mind as the real race begins:

The first is an old one, an economic one: are you better off today than you were four years ago?

Secondly, and even more to the point: is this country more divided than it was four years ago?

Mr. Bush's actions will result in more division. Mr. Kerry's will aim at bringing us more together. Both administrations will continue to fight terrorism - no matter what Rupert Murdoch and Fox news say. But Mr. Kerry will introduce other important national priorities that need to be addressed correctly - health care, education, and support of veterans, among others.

We've seen the results of Mr. Bush's strategy. I don't know about you, but the politics of divisiveness will not win my vote this year.