] As Mr. Kerry approaches this campaign's home stretch,
] with the first debate tomorrow night, there is much in
] his past to suggest that he believes elections are won in
] the endgame, that he holds back on purpose and begins
] concentrating intently on the race only when he believes
] the voters are, too. It remains to be seen whether an
] approach that has worked in Mr. Kerry's liberal home
] state or with Democratic primary voters eager to anoint a
] consensus candidate will be effective in a national
] election, but Mr. Kerry has little choice but to perform
] at his peak now.

The New York Times -- John Kerry's Journey: A Fast Finisher's Reputation Now Faces the Ultimate Test