I find internet comments threads very educational. Reading them before the 2004 elections gave me a strong impression that, contrary to popular wisdom at the time, Kerry would lose. I had, you see, come across Vietnam vets and their view of him, and I knew that where most of those people were concerned, the Democrats might as well have nominated Jane Fonda and be done. Vietnam vets are a group the media don't much notice; but they are hundreds of thousands, certainly enough to account for Bush II's majority.

Now I have gone back to reading comments threads in conservative sites, such as this one: http://www.haloscan.com/comments/geraldaugustinus/6703038397459957718/. And given the number and violence of the anti-McCain intervention, I cannot help feeling that this time the Dems will win.