Memo to Kerry: Only Connect; Bush was out touting health and education programs he had, in fact, sharply cut. But if Kerry had a sharp rejoinder, it was hard to hear.(John F. Kerry)(George W. Bush)

Publication: Newsweek

Publication Date: 31-MAY-04

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Byline: Jonathan Alter

Are we still the leader of the free world?" my 14- year-old daughter asked last week at the breakfast table. Without knowing it, she had stated one of John Kerry's campaign themes much more succinctly than Kerry himself has managed. If she were 16 (and had a car, which she won't), she would no doubt be sounding another theme--$2-a-gallon gasoline brought to you by the oiliest administration ever. But low global standing and high gas prices are not enough to beat an incumbent, especially in a rebounding economy. And especially when the challenger still hasn't mastered the basic cut-and-thrust of presidential politics.

Last week, for instance, it was disclosed that the Bush White...

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