On the Don't Panic beat...

...I like to consider myself a pretty effective cheerleader, but Digby gets my undisputed vote for team captain, because of stuff like this...

Kerry has every reason to be hopeful. Indeed, there is good reason to believe that Bush's ephemeral lead is shrinking as we speak. It's a nailbiter, but it is far from over.

I just wish that Dems could put on their game faces and try to sell the guy a little bit instead of constantly writing his epitaph. He's really a good man, you know. He's spent his life in public service, trying to do the right thing, working hard and carrying our agenda. He's our most liberal nominee in decades. He's smart and energetic and he's never been tainted by corruption or scandal. Is it so hard for Democrats to get behind a man like this or are we just as shallow as everybody else? Would we too be happier with a brand name in a suit?

That's just a nibble from a post full of meat (the historical context alone is well worth your mouse click.)

And importantly, it's not a Pollyanna post. Sure, there's lots of hard work to be done. We have to fight back every day.

But panic doesn't help. Panic doesn't work. Panic loses.

So don't panic.