Last night's speeches reminded me of an earlier campaign, the Nixon/Kenndy square-off of 1960. As in that election, both candidates agree on the fundamental direction of American policy. Neither questions the war in Iraq. Both support an expanded military.

Instead, as in 1960, the debate is over who can best"manage" America's foreign empire. The biographies of Senators Kennedy and Kerry have similar ironies in this regard. One was the son, and lifetime dependent, of an isolationist while the other first made his name as a peacenik. Despite this, Kerry, like the commander of PT 109, is successfully playing the"war hero" card.

The parallels in domestic policy are also close. As in 1960, both candidates are running to the center and each accepts the proposition that the welfare/regulatory state should not only be preserved but expanded.