1. Lots of stuff Bush backers will like, but note that the candidates are tied among registered voters in swing states.

2. Kerry’s got a net-unfavorable rating. Only 36 percent of voters had a favorable view of him, compared to 42 percent with an unfavorable one. He was 51-32 favorable at the beginning of August–he’s gone from a 19-point surplus to a 6-point deficit on the question. (The article does not make it clear whether these are registered-voter or likely-voter ratings.)