[areafiftyone]

I meant seriously campaigning. I don't think that the trip to Iraq was done for votes. I believe Bush did that because he cared for our troops and wanted to boost their morale during the holiday. I really meant getting out there and riding across the U.S. and campaigning like he did in 2000. People want to see him in person pressing the flesh! That is the only way to get votes.

[Gorjus]

That is the only way to get votes.

On this we disagree. It [pressing the flesh] is important, but more as a way to raise money than get actual votes (though of course money leads to votes). The country is just too big to have personal contact with enough voters to matter. Publicity like that, looking presidential in a way that doesn't seem like campaigning but has to be reported by the press is very effective campaigning.

He needs to do the traditional campaigning, too, but mostly to convince people he's not taking their votes for granted. It won't change many people's minds, but it is important to motivate the base to actually get out and vote.