Are the Democrats attempting to influence public opinion in advance of Nov. 2002 mid-term elections? That seems to be the only meaningful political event on the horizon, but it's still a long way off.

As regards the economy, a recession, or near recession, certainly deals short-term damage to the incumbent, but history clearly shows us that the subsequent recovery quickly erases any harm done to the incument's public approval, and re-election chances. 1984, following the 1982 downturn and then recovery, is the best example.

Bush & Cheney did one very smart thing in the 2000 campaign - they went to some lengths to point out to everyone that an economic downturn was already beginning in mid-2000, and that the first phase of the tax cut plan was actually devised as a response to this weakening.

And as long as 70% of Americans believe that Bush is a 'legitimate' President, frankly I don't believe the Republicans will care at all what the other 30% thinks. But they'll be very careful not to say so publically, they don't want to provoke any 'outrage', however midguided, that could potentially increase voter turnout on the other side.