Handicap Sheet for 2004

I saw Charlie Cook speak at an event at the Women's National Democratic Club yesterday. He said that right now, the 2004 election is too close to call. Bush is helped by the economy and hurt by Iraq. Kerry is basically a protest candidate without much personal support, but since the election is a referendum on the incumbent, it doesn't much matter that he has "less personality than an ashtray." Cook believes John Edwards is the only candidate for Vice President who could help Kerry's national poll numbers, but that Kerry does not like Edwards personally, and is more comfortable with someone like Dick Gephardt, who would not gain him a single vote. So, he can't predict what Kerry will do. Overall, the most even-handed and fair political analysis I've heard in Washington. No wonder he is everyone's guru (there were 2 pollsters on the panel with him, a Republican and a Democrat, who praised him equally). To read Cook's election analysis for yourself, just click on The Cook Political Report