We’d love to believe it’s a record that the mudslinging has started so early in the presidential race, but we’re not that gullible.

Still, have you heard the one about President Bush being AWOL during Vietnam? How about John Kerry’s alleged affair with an intern or his war protests with Hanoi Jane Fonda?

Party leaders and reporters have been digging out old photos and records; even the White House has been forced to release information about Bush’s 1970s-era hemorrhoids as part of the proof he served in the National Guard.

Voters care about character, but they also care about the truth &045; and they care about issues such as jobs, national security, the economy, the war in Iraq and the war against terror.

How about a reminder as we begin the race to November that &uot;it’s the issues, stupid?&uot;