Surge in Voter Registration

A surge in voter registration in "swing" states is a reason for optimism. The theft of the 2000 election was a wake up call for apathetic Americans, especially apathetic Democratic leaning voters. It isn't clear how many of the new registrants will actually vote, but most of them are registering as Democrats. Even if all of them fail to show up at the polls on November 2nd, they could swing, pun intended, the election to Kerry.

But Don't Forget Iraq

Increased voter participation is a good thing, for many reasons, but let us not forget who can also determine who wins on Election Day. The Iraqis play as powerful a role as any group of Americans. Bush's incredible shrinking man performance last week gave Kerry a boost, but catastrophe in Iraq could do so as well. Will Americans unhappy with Bush but happy with dreams of empire turn their backs on him? Of course Black Commentator explains it all.