You asked about a surge. You didn't specify surge + win.
The fact that Ford surged is promising for Bush. It shows it can happen. Ford was running worse than Bush by quite a bit, and yet came within an eyelash of winning. If the election had been another week later, he probably would have won. If I remember right, you were looking for something hopeful, so here it is!
Also I think you are entirely too negative regarding Bush's handling of the campaign. I think they've been running a fine campaign. Perhaps that would make a good poll question.
You are correct, I did ask for something "hopeful" so thanks for the Ford "late surge" reference.
I do enjoy reading your posts, you do seem to keep a very positive outlook - which is needed. I still believe GWB will win this Nov - However, I don't think I am being to negative about how the campaign has been run - there have been simple (rookie) type mistakes -
1. No GOP 527's up and running early (and I mean with the same influence that the DNC is in bed with the DEM 527's).
2. No premise was ever set on the economy - they allowed the economy to be "spun" as being in bad shape for months and months with NO response - when to anyone will to be intellectually honest, there was plenty of FACTS showing the economy was "surging"!! - Yet the GWB camp was silent!
3.The Patriot Act ads are the worst single ads I have ever seen run in a Presidential Campaign - in terms of content as well as timing!! - it is a NON-ISSUE (in fact, it only pisses off some on the Right). BTW, I'm not one of them it pisses off - but still the Patriot Act ads were useless and they spent $millions on them (wasted our grassroots money). Ads should have hit 100% on the economy -
4. Cheney (I love him, he is incredible articulate at expressing common-sense policies) Yet, he has been completely absent from the American Public - he allowed the DEM"s to demonize him as well as the war in Iraq with NO response.
5. The complete ineptness of anyone in the Administration to string together any sort of "talking points" when it comes to the success of the economy - Having NO ability to put the economy into layman's terms how the GWB team "inherited" a recession and has since turned it around. Using statistics after statistics that are readily to anyone which prove these points -
The U.S. economy is booming! From all-time low inflation to all-time low interest rates, to wages being up and taxes being down - Job growth surging and unemployment at historically low levels - we have all-time high home and auto sales - we have the DOW and NASDAQ both up hugely since Sept 11th - Construction is at 20 years highs along with the expansion rate of the manufacturing sector -
The list can go on and on - YET the GWB camp remained SILENT while the Dem's and media ran the economy DOWN -
No, there is plenty to be upset about with how the GWB camp has run this reelection - We are going to win in NOV - but if we don't - the blame lays squaring on them! Not one grass-roots member should feel even one iota of guilt for not doing enough. IMHO.