Kerry's message of tough optimism plays in Peoria

The fat lady is far from singing, but Kerry has nudged ahead of Bush where it counts. According to the latest Newsweek polls Kerry/Edwards Leads Bush/Cheney 52 to 44 Percent.

We'll see much more polling information over the next week, but there are some strong markers for Kerry. 58 percent are dissatisfied With direction of Country and 57 percent say the war with iraq has not made the U.S. safer. If Kerry can keep the upbeat, tough, centrist message alive and the party unified behind that message, he can win.