When President Bush referred to Sen. John Kerry as his opponent last week, Dana Millbank says it was "by far the earliest time an incumbent president has invoked the name of his opponent, even considering the rapid conclusion of the Democratic primary race."
"This is not a mere matter of calendar trivia. It is a sign that Bush has been put on the defensive and forced to join the political fray, long before he wanted to do... Democrats are delighted that they have forced Bush to abandon the Oval Office for the hustings."