In the Howard Kurtz column today, L.A. Times political writer Ron Brownstein crystallizes the media mindset in the presidential race. “Kerry has not had a good few months, but I’m not sure that’s particularly relevant,” says Brownstein, who views the election as mainly a referendum on Bush.

If you watched television in the last few months, you might wonder who’s running against Bush, since all the scrutiny (and all the negativity) are centered on Bush. The media act as if they’re not very impressed with Kerry, but can get him over the finish line by just relentlessly pounding the other guy. But if President Kerry pulls out of Iraq and raises taxes and signs the Kyoto Treaty and okays cloning and bans your SUV, that might be highly relevant to people, so we’re still waiting for the media to engage Kerry, not act engaged to him.