Presidential races can turn in the summer. John Kerry got swift-boated. Al Gore got beta-maled. Bob Dole got Dick Morrised. George Bush Sr. got Peroted. Michael Dukakis got Willy Hortoned.

Summer is the dead time when voters – millions of them – who haven’t paid attention start getting to know the candidates.

Here is what they are learning about Barack Obama:

• He made the left mad by seeming to move to the center.

• He made Jesse Jackson mad by talking about the responsibilities of black fathers.

• He got mad at himself for letting his “adorable” daughters be on television.

In other words, he’s winning.

And John McCain’s campaign is chaotic and stumbling.

Could McCain be any more mechanical on TV? He looks like the Tin Man without Dorothy.

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