The Washington Post/ABC poll isn't particularly good news for Kerry (7-point Bush lead among registered voters), but there are bits of silver around the clouds -- several voters express serious doubts about Bush and are begging Kerry to close the sale ("His biggest card right now is the 'anybody but Bush' card, and I'm not there yet....We'll see how it sorts itself out"). There's more in this Post story, "Anti-Bush Voters Seek Reasons to Back Kerry." Come on, John -- bring it on.

Beyond that, though, I think the flip-flop thing is killing Kerry: "Voters routinely describe Kerry as wishy-washy, as a flip-flopper and as a candidate they are not sure they can trust, almost as if they are reading from Bush campaign ad scripts." Bush has branded Kerry with that. It's a hook for Bush's ads, and for ads by right-wing 527s.

Meanwhile, when did Kos post this list of flip-flops by Bush? Back in March.

I still say the Kerry campaign, or the Kerry-friendly 527s, could have neutralized this line of attack, or at least weakened it, by creating a duel of flip-flop ads. It's probably too late, but, hell, it can't hurt -- do it, please. Now.