From the Don't Panic file...

Ryan Lizza's 'inside baseball' look at the Kerry campaign staff closes with this observation from Clintonite Bruce Reed.

"In 1992, we had a miserable spring. We started out in second [behind President Bush] and worked our way to third [behind Bush and Ross Perot.] ... It wasn't until the vice presidential pick and the convention that Clinton ... was able to overcome the echo chamber's doubts about him."

By that standard, Kerry seems to be ahead of the game, in a solid tie in early spring. In fact, it's even better than that. At this point in 1992, there were still an active battle for the nomination, and nothing at all like the early Party concensus that's allowed Kerry to build his warchest and take his challenge directly to his November opponent.

Really, folks, it's not done, it's not going to be easy, but we're in very good shape.