Posted on 07/02/2004 2:20:17 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
DESPERATE MEASURES
Could it be that desperation is setting in a bit more, well, desperately in the Kerry campaign? Up till now, most political tea leaf readers had Kerry announcing his decision on vice president coming the week of July 11. But recent polling numbers may have Kerry advisers changing those plans.
According to a Kerry campaign source, Sen. John Edwards, Rep. Dick Gephardt, Gov. Tom Vilsack, Gen. Wesley Clark, and "a surprise candidate" were each contacted on Wednesday and told to be prepared for an announcement with Kerry as early as July 6. Each short-lister provided the campaign with updated contact and travel information for the July 4 weekend and afterward.
"It's accelerated. It all began happening on Wednesday," says the campaign source. "For the past week we've been told there was no decision, then all of sudden, this. We've been sifting through some cruddy poll numbers, so maybe that has something to do with it."
Cruddy indeed. New polling from a number of sources, including internal polling, has Kerry struggling and even lagging in a race that by all rights he should be leading by low double digits.
"When you factor in a president down in the 40s of approval, and a candidate that many people claim they don't know much about, there is no way we should be losing Michigan and Pennsylvania. But we are," says the Kerry adviser. "We've spent $50 million and have nothing to show for it. Not a single point."
According to the source, the thinking goes that a complete Kerry ticket out in public sooner rather than later should energize things enough in the media and the base to give Kerry the uptick his people have been waiting for.
There was no indication of who the "surprise" candidate was. "It could be Hillary. It's assumed that she has been vetted on a separate track from the others. At least that's the talk. No one here knows for sure," says the source.
Edwards was due in Boston after the July 4th holiday for campaign appearances, at least one of which was to be with Kerry.
According to a Clinton Senate staffer in New York City, late on Wednesday, a staff colleague called from the road and indicated that "the Senator may need to change some things around next week." "But we weren't told to do anything for now," says the staffer.
Yeah, sure. I notice you're bending over backwards with your cryptic, evasive answers not to actually name anyone.
But I don't blame you. Because when you do venture into making specific statements/claims, you're usually woefully wrong.
I thank GOD that you have NOTHING to do with our sides campaign. The only thing toast about this subject is your pessimism. Enjoy it! I ain't playin'.
LLS
Yeah, but when Cheney whoops her in the debates, he'll be painted as a mean-spirited bully by the lamestream press.
I agree with your assessment of Hillary's "debating" skills. ;-)
And, I consider a possible debate between the Honorable Mr. Cheney and Hillary! "must see tv".
Cheney won't make Lazio's agressive mistake...Cheney will trap her in facts wrapped in honey.
____________________________________
Those that are going to vote for Bush will vote for him because they do not want John Kerry as the president of the United States.
Kerry has many more votes to gain here by picking Hillary than Bush does by not picking a running mate that can reach deep into the same voting pool and come out with a majority.
Bush only has a very, very short window to make the change anyway. It probably won't happen, but the downside won't really be known until November.
I did. And even though Lazio had the facts it was his delivery that did him in. He was painted as too agressive...especially when he wanted her to sign the campaign finance pledge...and Hillary! won by once again becoming a "victim".
If Cheney does end up "debating" Hillary!, he won't repeat that mistake.
All just spin. There is very little journalism in elections.
But think about it. Was it even a mistake? The man walked over and put a piece of paper on her podium, and pointed to it. So what? Why was it news?
Because her debate performance was lame. And the media was looking for an excuse not to report it. My two cents...
This date is probably a ruse. Remember, the libs are paranoid that somehow the Bush administration will rain on their announcement by overshadowing news. I think the Bush administration needs to make their worst fears a reality.
Lazio cleaned her clock, but the media crucified him for being mean to her. So, as lousy as she was in the debate, she actually won. She (and her handlers) have learned from this. Hillary will never participate in a debate with an opponent unless she has absolute control of the format, and has prior access to the list of questions that will be asked.
They'll try, but it won't stick. That just ain't Cheney's style. He'll whoop her with a soft voice, a sly smile and a sharp wit.
The other thing he/she does is
present him/her as totally savvy
& the rest of us as 100% clueless.
I don't have to think about it. I stood and applauded as I watched it.
But the media turned Hillary's deer in the headlights paralysis into victimhood.
Lazio never recovered.
Because her debate performance was lame. And the media was looking for an excuse not to report it."
Precisely. It was turned into a mistake by a press that needed SOMETHING, because she was less than interesting in that debate. Hillary's problem, in addition to being viciously ambitious but not very bright, is that SHE CAN'T REALLY SAY WHAT SHE THINKS ON ANY GIVEN SUBJECT. If she did, she would constantly utter things like "we're going to take things away from you for the common good" -- and even Jane and Joe Suburb might awake from their long analytical sleep to a moment of clarity.
So she has to constantly think on two tracks -- one is what she thinks, the other is how to dress it up. This produces the glazed look in the eyes and the "uh, uh, uh" of the lawyer trying to find just the right word to scam the judge.
Here's the thing: The hardcore liberals are already energized because they hate Bush. I think the choice of Hillary will energize those slightly left of center, but at the same time will energize everyone on the right. In the center, I think it will push women to Kerry and men to Bush.
O ye of little faith, ask Ma Richards about his ability to stay above water.
:-D
Maybe if we uttered ambiguous yet politically savvy phrases like "Follow the money..."
Beware the ides of July, for only then will the powerful Bear feel the great beast's flip flop.
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