It's the economy, stupid!

The WORLD economy. Daniel Henninger in today's Wall Street Journal clearly defines the realities of the global economy, today and in the future. George Bush has faced the changing economic environment and proposed changes to our own policies and programs that must be made if we, as a country, hope to continue as the world leader in economic standards.

"After three presidential debates, it is clear that George Bush is asking the American people to make a similar, abrupt break with the comforts of the political past. Proposals such as Social Security privatization or individually run health-savings accounts are not being offered as just an intriguing 'policy' alternative. These ideas are an historic necessity to surviving in the world economy as it exists today.

Intellectually, the case for making the leap is compelling. Emotionally, the way forward is less obvious. Most Americans have already adjusted to the disturbing realities of Iraq and of waging -- and leading -- a war on global terror. But it's quite a lot to ask them in the same election to step away from 50 or more years of federally guaranteed social protection. That would have been large without Iraq and terror.

The Kerry campaign is riding on the belief that the American electorate, at the margins in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, isn't ready to make the break. And they may be right. That to me is the meaning of the relentlessly close poll results that persist in this election. John Kerry is a fundamentally weak presidential candidate, but about half the electorate is uncertain whether it is able to sign up for all the risk and uncertainty implicit in the next Bush presidency."

Change is hard. Leadership is hard. I'm not fond of George Bush's "it's hard work" line, but it is true. People, by nature, prefer things to 'stay the same'. We'd much rather be comfortable, than challenged. This election seems to be hinging on 'protection' and 'security' - physical and economic. In both cases, we need to be pro-active, progressive, and optimistic. I see George Bush taking this challenge. I see John Kerry just the opposite - defensive, status-quo, and pessimistic.