Kerry advisers are quick to point out that the economy normally adds about 150,000 jobs a month, which over four years would total 7 million.

Kerry advisers frankly admit that in a long-term sense, they will not be "creating" jobs either.

"I don't see this as a two-person race because we're running against someone who has won one state," a senior Kerry adviser said.

"He's starting to provide, I think, a lot more discipline to his message," one senior Kerry adviser said.

One Kerry adviser said all such talk was premature.

A Kerry adviser said, "He's signed off on the concept of the plan."

"There may be an effort like that, but not at our behest," one Kerry adviser said.

Kerry advisers have not had to look hard for openings.

"Vice-presidential candidates serve as attack dogs," said one Kerry adviser, who asked not to be identified.

Kerry advisers painted an equally sanguine picture of the race Friday afternoon.