I don't think this election will be decided on policy, but I have a narrow definition of policy.  I don't mean general positions like "healthcare is good" or "education needs more money" or "we need more jobs."  I mean detailed positions about how to reform the tax code, or how to actually provide healthcare for all Americans.

I may be underestimating the electorate, but the fact is that the media is never going to give wide coverage to specific issues of policy because it doesn't sell papers or get people to watch the news.  Besides, the gulf between what the Democratic party now believes and what Bush has done is so wide that the difference should (and I emphasize should) be apparent to everyone.

As far as Vietnam goes, I merely mentioned this because it surprised me.  If the Republicans hit hard on foreign policy experience, it's one of Kerry's strengths that he is a decorated combat veteran.  Especially in the primary, this is one thing, for better or worse, that sets him apart from the other candidates, with the exception of Wes Clark, of course.

While Chicken Little may be right about Iraq and Kerry, the CW I've seen indicates that democrats are more comfortable with Kerry because many of them were also misled by the administration, and fell for their lies.  Therefore, they're more comfortable with Kerry, rather than Dean, who lords over the other candidates that he was clever enough to see through the President's lies.

All that being said, I'm not a Kerry supporter - I just wanted to see him live when I had the chance.  I've supported Dean for months, and I will still probably vote for him on Tuesday.