New York Post: BUSH LETTING DEMS TAKE FIGHT TO HIM

Republicans at the grass-roots level are starting to get the jitters - not because they think Democratic front-runner John Kerry is such a great candidate (they don't) but because they fear an out-of-touch President Bush is blowing it...

"He's letting the tail wag the dog. He follows the Democratic candidates around when he's the president and he should be setting the agenda," fumed an unhappy Republican.

Some also fear Bush political guru Karl Rove is so fixed on masterminding a national election that will lock Republicans into power for a decade that he's forgotten that you have to be sure you'll win before plotting to win big.

No, no, listen to Ken Mehlman: you're supposed to be down in the polls this early. Or in June, whenever. It's all part of the plan.

Republicans have it locked up, dudes. Go back to sleep.

I have to wonder why there isn't more talk of changing the ticket. Personally, I think a McCain-Giuliani pairing (say) would be damn hard to beat.

Bush-Cheney? They've been digging their own political graves for years now. And some in their own party are starting to see it... so, you know, let's tell them we're so scared of all Bush's money! Even though he's dropped in the polls, we know he's still such a popular, well-liked guy! If only we could face a President who wasn't as strong as George W. Bush!

Keep them complacent for a little while longer.