http://www.bopnews.com/archives/000385.html#000385
Is about how this phase of the campaign is the "tapping" phase, and a giant sumo wrestle to get the other side on the wrong foot - which the campaign it self will press and squeeze on. Winning incumbents get on the right foot for themselves personally, and then wait for a moment to crush faith in the challenger. Bush's own electability is crucial to him here - if he is electable, particularly to working class America, his negative team can zap Kerry at any time.
If, however, he becomes toxic, then no amount of attack advertising will save him, because un Kerry votes don't become Bush votes, they become "throw the bums out" votes. The Republicans, controlling all three branches, don't want this.
Bush is fighting for his life, and the Spain thing shows how close to his own core he is fighting. As the toxicity gets higher for Bush, it feeds on itself.
Ignore the attacks on Kerry - the core right now is to create the impression that spring hiring is a dead cat bounce, that the economy is already petering out as the Iraq money is trailing off, and that the sectors which lead growth are going down, while nothing new is coming to take their place.
Bush is toxic - that's the meme.