The Democrats' Smear Race

• Votes against the Persian Gulf War, which he now says he favored.

• Votes for the Iraq war, which he now says he opposed.

• Votes against the $87 billion for troop support and Iraqi reconstruction, while saying that he favors troop support and Iraqi reconstruction.

• Votes for the No Child Left Behind Act, which he now attacks incessantly.

• Votes for NAFTA; he now rails against the unfairness of free trade.

• Votes for the Patriot Act; he now decries the assault on civil liberties.

Which is why Kerry prefers to preempt any examination of his record by warning in advance of a coming Republican "smear campaign."

It would be a clever attempt at political insulation were it not so transparent. Instead, coming after weeks of unrelenting anti-Bush calumny, it is an impressive display of chutzpah. Kerry may or may not win the presidency, but he has already won the 2004 Captain Renault award.

letters@charleskrauthammer.com