Things are looking bright for President George W. Bush as the hugely successful Republican National Convention closed with his well—crafted and superbly—delivered speech.

Sen. John F. Kerry and his campaign are retreating under the scrutiny of the devastating ads and literature produced by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and their army of everyday contributors to their cause.  Kerry somehow thought he would not have to answer for the disloyal actions in 1971 that catapulted him into the national spotlight and paved the way to his seat in the Senate. Finally, he is getting his just desserts on the biggest stage of them all. 

The protestors teeming in the streets of New York City, many of whom look more anti—shower than anti—Bush, are too dim to realize they are doing the President a big favor. Their placards and vulgar chanting call to mind the idiotic protests of the late 1960s and early 1970s that have been long since exposed as an excuse among trust—fund anarchists to get high and hook up. These kinds of protests, which reared their anti—nuclear warheads again in the late 1970s and 1980s, are so effective that Republican presidents were elected in 1968, 1972, 1980, and 1984.

If Kerry watched any of the coverage of the protests, he would have seen more likenesses of Che Guevara than 'Kerry for President' signs among the masses. These people — if they vote at all — are Nader people to the core now that Dennis Kucinich and his Department of Peace have been rendered a sub—footnote in future history books. Of the 100,000 or 500,000 (depending on whom you believe) calling the President a terrorist and a war criminal, Kerry can expect maybe 2 or 3 percent of their votes. Put some ice on it, Lieutenant.

Monday evening's images of Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain at the convention reminded the American people that President Bush means business when it comes to the defense of this nation. If we are attacked again, we know the Commander—in—Chief will not call up Kofi Annan and ask 'What do we do?' The former mayor in effect called the President America's Churchill.  Time and time again, the President has come through on this most important issue in the campaign, as his speech Tuesday to the American Legion  proved. When a social liberal and actor like Ron Silver has the courage to literally risk his career in stumping for the President, it's hard not to think the President will win in a walk.

But there is much work to be done, and complacency can lead to defeat. The old media, in their grasp at relevancy, will make every effort to defeat the President. They will attempt to balloon the President's comments to Matt Lauer about the war on terrorism, as difficult if not impossible to ultimately win in a traditional sense, into pessimism among the President and the Administration. The last three years have more than demonstrated that President Bush will do all that it takes to disable our enemies, and Democrats have portrayed him as a war—mongerer, so attempts to make him out as half—hearted are not likely to gain traction.

The media will try to portray dissension among the Cabinet by noting Vice President Dick Cheney's differences with the President regarding a Constitutional amendment defining marriage. To the left, American Cabinets that do not show the unanimity of a Politburo are somehow troublesome. There will probably be an instance to highlight any time Secretary of State Powell disagrees with others of the President's advisors as further evidence of a Cabinet in disarray. It is laughable, but unfortunately a great many people lap it up and take it as truth.

Good money says that the President will obliterate Kerry in each of the three presidential debates in October. Vietnam will not be much of an issue unless Kerry continues to fall into that trap of his own making. The President will have Kerry's horrendous voting record in the Senate on defense and military issues to counter. The media, though, will probably give at least two of the debates to Kerry. But that's the media's problem. Voters have too many other legitimate outlets now and we can decide for ourselves who wins.

On Election Day, no matter what the weather, no matter if a bunch of foul—mouthed 60s wannabes leave a path of broken pitchers of lefty Kool Aid, no matter the networks prematurely calling states for Kerry, it will be necessary to get out there and vote for the President. It is vital that the election does not come down to one, two, or three states. The idiots among the populace who are too myopic and ignorant to understand the nuances of the Electoral College must be shown that the President wins the popular vote as well. Yes, they will claim that the board of Halliburton retained Harry Potter and an all—star team from Hogwarts to cast a spell on American voters to re—elect the President, but at least we won't have to endure four more years of 'Bush didn't win the popular vote.'

Vote early, though. Just think of how fun election night will be, from the time Indiana lights up red on the map a few seconds after the polls close until the time the President secures 270 electoral votes. Imagine the disbelief in the voice of Peter Jennings, Dan Rather being put to bed wet, and the disappointment Tom Brokaw will feel in calling his last election on the air for a Republican, not to mention Chris Matthews' head exploding live on the air. 

It looks good for the President right now, but let's not be complacent. Get up, get out, and get it done.

Matthew May is a freelance writer and can be reached at millmay7@yahoo.com