When anything close to specifics show up in this speech, it comes down to handing the war in Iraq over to people and nations that have a hell of a lot to gain by seeing the effort fail.

That if only Kerry were President, nations that have said it would be a cold day in hell before they got involved would suddenly think it's a great idea.

At every point in this war, Bush has gone to the international community and asked for cooperation. Many did. From others, he got a big "F.U." This has not changed. I find it hard to believe the holdouts will enthusiastically dive in just because Kerry is president.

Kerry's faith in the power of France--and yes, this is what he means when talking about "real" allies--to bring peace to Iraq is touching, but I see no basis for that in fact. It's worth checking out just how much military help European nations can actually muster even if they were cooperating.

- Do you think France will enter the war just because Kerry is president, or because there's money to be made? If so, do we want allies fighting at our side on those venal terms?

- Do you think if France enters the war, that America still will not be suffering 90 percent of the casualties?

- Do you think the insurgents will care if more Europeans are in the fight?