In the end, victory came for Kerry in a coast-to coast sweep. Voters from New York to California put their faith in the junior senator from Massachusetts as the man most likely to beat George W. Bush.

But Kerry is not lingering long in the winner’s circle. It’s time he says, to begin thinking about a running mate and to start raising the cash it will take to be a contender. And raise money he must, because just this morning, the GOP is rolling out the first wave in what will be a relentless ad campaign showcasing Bush as a “war president” and touting the tagline, “Steady leadership in times of change.” While this first blitz aims above the belt, you can bet that with more than $100 million in the bank, and a Democratic opponent now firmly in the crosshairs, the Republicans have other plans for the junior senator.

Guests:

Walter Shapiro, USA Today columnist

Rick Davis, former campaign manager for Senator John McCain, 2000 Presidential race

Sara Taylor, deputy strategist for the Bush/Cheney 2004 campaign

Eric Rademacher, co-director of the University of Cincinatti’s Ohio Poll.