Gallup: Kerry With Slight Lead in Presidential Race (Kerry 49 W 44; registered voters)Approve at 49%

Gallup News Service ^ | June 8, 2004 | David W. Moore

[POA2]

Exactly - this is what the "message" should have been from the GWB reelection team since Jan.

Yet, they remained silent for months and then on defense - If the economy issue falls GWB way in the publics mind - there is no election - GWB will win easily - yet, we gave this one (KEY) issue away and now we are in a tight race, till the end.

It boggles the mind that GWB allowed the same mistakes in his reelection that his Father had happen in his - I would have never thought it possible!

[Dave Olson]

Your theory works as long as the two parties evenly split the Independent vote.

In this poll, W loses badly amongst them. He'll need to improve on that if he hopes to win.

I don't see anything in the article specifically referring to independents.

That being said, IIRC, the country is about 45% Democrat, 45% Republican and 10% Independent. If that's true, then even if Kerry gets all of the Independent vote, he gains only about an additioal 5% more of that vote than if it was evenly split. Still not enough to put him over the top.

[Soul Seeker]

Ah-Ha! We are in agreement. GW is playing Defense. I think we'd all rather be on the offensive and this is the area in which I believe the charges of a inept campaign have merit. It does have an effect of demoralizing a base that desperately desires action on his part.

Theories have been circulated as to why GW operates this way. Rope a Dope? New tone? Whatever his reasoning I won't claim to have an inside track.

I do know we have no need to be on defense. We have documented proof WMD was discovered in Iraq. We have proof of Saddam's tie to terrorism. We have proof the tax cuts worked. Our military discovered then dealt with Abu Grabib. Not congress nor the media. We've liberated millions of souls. An interim Government exists in Iraq. Afganistan is headed toward an election. The good that has been done far overweighs the bad. We're even working within the U.N. for those that flinch at the idea of cutting the cord.

I'm hesitant to join the choruses screaming the President should do this or that. If the President took the advice (well intentioned it may be) of everyone who offered it we'd really learn the definition of inept. However, if I were to give him one piece of advice it would to allow the confidence that comes from having been right to infuse the campaign from this moment forth. That Optimism needs to be conveyed from him to his cabinet through the entire Republican party.

Turn off their TV's, cancel the subscriptions to MSM and stop taking cues over what stories will dictate the day. They have the power to set the agenda. As do we. MSM only has the power to do so if the administration or public cede them control.

[POA2]

if I were to give him one piece of advice it would to allow the confidence that comes from having been right to infuse the campaign from this moment forth. That Optimism needs to be conveyed from him to his cabinet through the entire Republican party." Great words above by you - I share them 100% -

This is GWB election to lose - but he must be willing to fight to win - he must be willing to get the facts out - be it on the booming economy, the liberation of Iraq and the WOT in general.