In july, Republicans were facing their convention in New York with some trepidation. It was not the prospect of throngs of protesters that daunted them, nor the problem of finding a Broadway show suitable for their delicate sensibilities ("Naked Boys Singing" was definitely out). Rather, it was George Bush's political position. The president was falling behind in the horse-race. By large margins, voters thought the country was heading in the wrong direction. The war in Iraq was going badly, the recovery was faltering, Democrats were animated by Bush-hatred, and John Kerry's risk-averse campaign, with its stress on national security, seemed to have established the sort of lead that has rarely been overcome in presidential contests.
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