[Lee_Atwater]

The writer(s) of this editorial know little about political history. GOP deficit hawkery sent the party into the abyss from about 1930 to 1978.

No President has lost an election over deficits (especially one who reduces tax rates). Following this op-ed's theory the GOP would have lost Presidential elections in 1984 and 1988 -- and won in 1964 and 1976. In 1992 GHWB lost an election after raising taxes to reduce deficits.

Austerity platforms lose elections.

It doesn't matter what you or I think about deficits; deficits do not matter electorally.

[chris1]

The problem is that if Kerry turns out to be a good campaigner, W will be in trouble. I don't think he will be, but Gore was a known lier, phony, and still got the popular vote. Dukakis and Mondale were very weak opponents. If the Dems put up a good camapaigner who seemed moderate and not insane, the outlook is not so rosy in terms of reelection.