Riding into a security-ringed Grand Central Terminal this morning, on an orange-plus Monday morning in the humid August swelter, the single most important question in this year's Presidential race came barreling at me faster than the 6:58 from Bronxville: which candidate will make me feel safer?
Really, that's what it's all about this year. And that's why I'm voting for John Kerry - a better chance at a less violent future. He is not an ideologue; indeed, the very opportunism that the Republicans mock works to his advantage in dealing with a dangerous world. I think he will do what is necessary in terms of force, but not a nickel more. I think he'll talk, and talk, and talk, and talk. Then he'll make a few notes, and talk some more. And I think that will make us demonstrably safer. Sure, the fly-over states will continue to go red - they can have their terror threat and ideology too; no lives on the line there.
For New York - well, it's the front lines. That feeling hasn't passed. And we need a new commander.
