While I'm away from the blog, here's another cartoon from exactly four years ago, again, during the conventions. President Bush, his popularity already sagging, ran for reelection using an overarching national security theme.

No matter what Kerry said about Social Security, health care, education, or anything else, Bush's simple response was, "Vote for me, or you might die."

Valid or not, it worked.

While I'm away, I'm running some cartoons from exactly four years ago, when the conventions were also going on.

This cartoon illustrates how perceptions, and my own attitude, can change over four years. Actually, I still agree with the premise, which isn't conceding a whole lot. McCain has done a few things since that time, however, that tarnish his luster.

I'm temporarily away from the blog, so I thought I'd post one of my personal favorites from almost exactly four years ago (there were conventions going on then, too). As you may recall, an independent group calling itself "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," began a campaign to destroy John Kerry's reputation as a war hero.

One has to view this strategy through a jaundiced prism today, as John McCain, war hero, uses the POW defense for virtually every difficult question posed to him. Not to take away from his sacrifice in the least, but does it really help the electorate in making an intelligent choice when he uses it as his default answer?

While I'm away from the blog, I thought it would be instructive and amusing to take a sentimental look back at the last bunch of conventions. At this particular point in the process, Kerry had just marched onto the stage, saluted, and announced, "John Kerry reporting for duty!"

The term "swiftboating" was poised to enter the American political lexicon.