“Even a casual viewer of Hardball knows that the first rule of an election that involves a sitting president is that it’s a referendum on the incumbent. This election, however, has turned out to be the opposite. It’s a referendum on the challenger. Kerry probably isn’t responsible for this turn of events, but he’s benefiting from it: The referendum on the incumbent is over. President Bush already lost it. This presidential campaign isn’t about whether the current president deserves a second term. It’s about whether the challenger is a worthy replacement.

So, even though there are supposed to be only five persuadable voters left in America, I’m inclined to think that the next four nights will be worth watching. Can the Democrats re-enact the successful 2000 Republican convention, a parade of moderation and diversity that convinced the nation that George W. Bush was a decent fellow who could be trusted with the levers of power?” — Chris Suellentrop (Slate)

“Minutes after telling her husband’s supporters to restore a more dignified tone to politics, Teresa Heinz Kerry told a reporter to ‘shove it.’

… Asked about Mrs. Heinz Kerry’s comments, the Kerry campaign said in a statement: “It was a moment of extreme frustration aimed at a right wing rag that has consistently and almost purposefully misrepresented the facts when reporting on Mrs. Heinz Kerry.” ” (Yahoo! News)