Random notes.

I'm still trying to get a feel for the overall size of "M20." "Millions" is just a bit to vague for me.

*************************************

At least one commentator has questioned John Kerry's decision to take a skiing vacation in Idaho as Bush tries to paint him as an elitist. It should be noted, that Kerry is staying at one of his family homes.

I think Kerry's decision to stay in the states after what has been a long, arduous year plus on the road is rather modest. Then again, I live in state where skiing is the norm. If Kerry went to the Monaco and gambled a few million bucks away, I would see this as over the top.

*************************************

9/11? What will Clarke say tonight on 60 minutes? I don't have a functioning television, so I'm going to have to make plans in order to watch the program. I know people with TVs. Shouldn't be an issue.

*************************************

Iraq. It's getting worse -- by all accounts -- for the Iraqis.

2 more GIs killed yesterday. Lunaville hasn't yet accounted for this so as of 4:35 Eastern U.S. time, I believe we have 581 killed by means other than themselves.

Added note: Bush has still not gone to one funeral, or memorial service for those killed in Iraq.

*************************************

Medicare scandal brewing. Feeding knowingly misleading data to Congress is a crime. It's starting to look like this may really stick, as the GOP House and Senate members have to uphold the law...well, that's what they're sworn in to do.

A $150 billion -- that will translate into trillions over time -- dollar lie is not likely to win the White House any favors on either side of the aisle. It gives the Democrats a serious tool to illustrate that the Bush Administration are really a bunch of 'crooked liars.' Anyone seeking re-election should want to distance themselves from this as far as possible.

Either Bush is so incompetent that he never bothered to learn the true cost of a major policy piece, or that he thought it more palatable to go with lower figures. Either scenario has Bush in trouble.

Negligence can only be overlooked for so long. Bush is so uncurious that it does seem possible that when hit with the true costs of Medicare reform he has the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, and it didn't register.

The other, and I think, more likely scenario is that Bush was involved in cooking the books.

This issue is so important that it needs fleshing out prior to Bush's election gambit.

*************************************

Kerry. Bush has had it pretty easy with Kerry bring on vacation. I expect that once Kerry returns from vacation on Tuesday, that the battle lines will be drawn more distinctly.

There is an almost imperceptible shift in Bush's campaigning rhetoric. He has shifted from painting Kerry as 'weak on terrah' to a taxer.

McCain coming out in defense of Kerry certainly must've stung the White House.

If the ominous Medicare scandal(?) takes form quickly, the White House will be in full damage control mode, and Kerry should get a free pass for a while..well, almost free. It would be a tremendous gift from the Bush's.