Thanks, but no thanks

Or less politely, "Not on your life, Jack."

Or even LESS politely, "No fucking way in hell."

Borrowing a page from Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record)'s 2000 postelection playbook, Kerry has kept much of his presidential political organization intact. He has also used his fundraising prowess to aid Democrats across the country, collecting chits that could be called if he seeks the party's White House nomination.

"He believes in his heart and soul that he came just a whisker away from being president," said Ronald Kaufman, a veteran GOP operative with Massachusetts roots.

Traveling extensively since his 2004 loss, Kerry generated nearly $5.3 million for dozens of Democratic candidates, state parties and charitable causes, according to aides.

He gave more than $200,000 to help Washington state Democrats prevail in Christine Gregoire's gubernatorial recount.

Kerry has expanded his campaign's e-mail supporter list, a vital organizing tool if he runs again. He has bought TV and newspaper ads promoting pet issues such as children's health care and his opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He also reunited several members of his campaign policy team.

"No other past presidential candidate, with the exception of McCain, has done what Kerry has done in terms of converting his presidential campaign into a grass-roots political and legislative operation," said Wade. "He's dedicated to electing Democrats."

Despite such political spadework, Kerry can expect an uphill fight in 2008.

Not the least of which is the fact that "the base" feels profoundly betrayed by his lackluster, pussy-ass campaign, his turning the other cheek to unjust attacks, his utter inability to articulate a coherent position on anything, and his inability to pull out a victory, even with the shenanigans in Ohio and Florida, against an obviously drunk, stumbling, and incompetent president. If he couldn't beat this moron, what makes him think he'll be able to beat a fresh, new Republican nominee?

I've already said that if this party nominates Hillary Clinton and her rah-rah-war stand as the nominee, I'm staying home. And now, I'm going on record with another one.