IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID
Maybe the Democrats have been right to not focus on the economy and to instead complain about Iraq, contrary to the pundits' and strategists' suggestions. Gross Domestic Product was up 7.2% in the third quarter. That's huge and is the best since the first quarter of 1984, right before Reagan buried Mondale in a landslide -- and Mondale wanted to raise taxes and complained about middle east policy. Sound familiar?

It will be interesting to see how this brings down projected deficits -- news that should arrive in the thick of Primary season. Everything seems to be turning Bush's way on the homefront. There's less now for the Democrats to complain about.