New WaPo/ABC News Poll, Bush 48, Kerry 43

In short, this poll contends that Kerry has lost the advantage he had on a range of domestic issues and the flip-flop charge is hurting him. It doesn't appear however, that recent events have helped the President. Doubts about the war in Iraq and whether the government did enough before 9/11 abound. In short, recent events aren't helping the President but they are blocking Kerry and keeping him from being able to effectively get his message out. His new TV spots can't come soon enough - now that the free media has pretty much worn off.

Even though people are anxious about the situation overseas, Kerry has yet to convince voters that he would manage the crisis in the middle east or the war on terrorism better than the current President.

However, other polls, notably those of from the Associated Press, Zogby and Newsweek have shown Kerry holding a narrow advantage and show a race virtually frozen for the last month. It appears that overall, when he was at his most vulnerable, Kerry was able to whether the $50 million TV ad onslaught pretty well. With months to define himself, a VP pick and a convention, Kerry will only rise up in the hearts and minds of the American electorate.