Last week, I discovered a new “super-clever Bush-basher”. The comedian Bill Maher. He is not just criticizing George W. Bush. He has always questioned and criticised the ones in power. Apparently, he used to be pretty harsh with former president Clinton also. Maher was interviewed by Larry King on CNN last Monday. As he was being quite cynical—and hilarious-- on Bush’s assessment, King asked him: “Do you think that John Kerry has all the answers?” he answered : “He may not have all the answers, but Bush doesn’t have any. Macaroni cheese is always better that sand and spits.”

This is a cute way to express what a lot of Americans seem to think. As Democrat candidate Senator John Kerry was plummeting in the polls after the Republican Convention, one of those surveys showed that at least half of those planning to cast ballots for Kerry were actually voting against Bush. Whereas 82% of Bush supporters said they were voting for the president, not against Kerry.

On 2, November, a lot of people will vote Kerry without conviction. Or with the one conviction that they do not want President Bush back in the White House. But nothing is lost – let’s hope ! - the race is not over.

During the Republican convention, Michael Moore was writing a column in the newspaper Usa Today. And he said, “Kerry needs to trust his victory is going to happen by inspiring the natural base of the Democratic Party: blacks, working people, women, the poor and young people.”

Last week, pollster John Zogby declared, “Kerry has done the impossible: he has de-energized his base”. And what does he have to do to re-energize it and to get a chance to win? He needs to oppose the war in Iraq. As Zogby says: “Half of the country won’t vote for him under any circumstance. And his base is opposed to this war.”

So he has to adopt a stronger position on this issue. He has to change the debate. He has to focus on economy, healthcare, education. He has to highlight the fact that the Patriot Act infringes individual freedom and civil rights –a major topic for the Arab-Americans.

“The issue are right there, says Zogby. Kerry needs to address them, hammer and hammer and hammer and turn them into a mantra (…)”

While we were listening to Zogby’s expertise on the campaign, a woman who works for the State Department – and who is definitely not Republican – leant towards me and raised another point : “Kerry’s problem is that he talks too much with his head and not enough with his heart. Bush only talks with his heart. And people feel closer to him.” A young girl sitting next to us agreed: “I have read about a survey that says it all: the Americans would rather have a beer with Bush than with Kerry…”