Once, I'm told, one of Abraham Lincoln's aides inquired why he would not be meeting with another politician. Lincoln replied: "I don't like the look of his face." "But sir!" his aide retorted, "a man's got nothing to do with the look of his face." "By the time a man is my age," Lincoln responded, "he has everything to do with the look of his face."

Not believing politics should be decided on the same criteria infants use on the playground, I generally don't like to focus on a candidate's appearance, mannerisms, or non-critical idiosyncracies.

But it shocked me to see what has become of Al Gore: his tedkennedyization seems to continue unabated. To think that is what about half of us wanted to place in charge of this country. Shudder.

As far as I can see, Gore has nothing to offer these days but accusations -- which contradict his own former stances (he himself stated Iraq had WMD). No constructive suggestions, no long-term vision for where we ought to go as a country. Just bubbling, frothing, eye-popping screams of rage and hatred.

And this reflects poorly on his supporters, and their grasp of reality:

"There stands the real president," said McNeil, who then made just the sought-after segue into support for Kerry on Election Day.

Oh dear.

Pollster Andy Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, said Gore is "emblematic of happier days" to many Democrats.

Look again at the photo. At his face. For many, that is an "emblem of happier days"? What next? Triumph of the Will?

I'm just concerned that many are not taking a good hard, critical look at John Kerry, to make sure he won't end up like Gore, or worse. According to the article Gore talks with Kerry quite frequently.

That explains a lot, actually.