Well, I thought it was dumb, but I think it's good in a couple ways for Republicans.

One, that it points up the strength of running for President AS the President. He can do things that a senator can not. McCullough says "President Bush asks Congress for the authorization to fight the War on Terror...Senator Kerry votes to give it to him..." Yes, that's the strength of incumbency.

Two, unfortunately as a Dem I have to admit I think there's political strength to the Bush argument to the effect that, "Yes, I as President may have made some decisions with Iraq that didn't work out too well, but at least I acted decisively and quickly...Look over there at that Kerry fellow who seems to hesitate and question everything he does..."

Tim's point that "'It's the War On Terror, Stupid!' so let's keep our Republican campaign focused on it," (He states it with more respect and dignity than I do) I think has a lot of merit. I think the Dem strategists would rather that you follow guys like Hewitt over the cliff with spending all your time over the next couple months wondering where Kerry was on Christmas 1968.