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America wasn't exactly transfixed by the GOP convention, but the Philly confab did produce some worthy rhetoric -- as well as plenty of podium pentathol.

A sitting vice-president heads to a convention where an angry left plans protests? To Al Gore, that's a pretty scary flashback.

Third Party Poopers In a close race for the middle, Buchanan and Nader are forcing Bush and Gore to watch their flanks. The unlikely power player? Rush Limbaugh.

It's election halftime. Bush and Gore took their blows in the primaries -- now it's time for game-plan adjustments. Here's what they need to hear in the locker room.

Who could argue that lowering the cost of AIDS drugs for Africa is a bad thing? No one -- but noble choices can have disastrous effects.

It's an iron law of politics that a strong economy helps incumbents. But this year, George W. Bush has been messing with the rules. So is Al Gore hoping for a crash?

John McCain seems to prefer the campaign bus to his Senate seat. With a vice-presidential nod, he'll win if Bush wins. If Bush loses, he'll win even bigger.

Social Security (and its imminent extinction) is a booby-trap issue politicos tend to sidestep. But Bush has feelers out to top Republicans and Democrats about reform.

Questions about cocaine, a Bob Jones University cameo, and unseemly fund-raising are bullets bouncing off Bush's chest. Policy issues are the Kryptonite Gore should reach for.

Liberals in Hollywood and on the Upper West Side are so beguiled by John McCain's straight talk that they don't quibble over little details -- like, for instance, that he's pro-life.