Posted on 08/03/2004 10:07:18 PM PDT by RWR8189
PRINCETON, NJ -- National polls conducted after last week's Democratic National Convention clearly indicate that Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry gained little in the way of voter support for his presidential bid as a result of the convention. But did Kerry at least make some headway with Americans in the image department -- perhaps improving his public persona, or building public confidence in his ability to fulfill the duties of president?
Among all national adults, the answer to that question is yes. Kerry's image and issue ratings did show some improvement in the period spanning the convention.
Kerry saw at least modest gains among all national adults across a series of eight personal characteristics and qualities tested before and after the convention. Gallup found increases of four points or more in the percentages of Americans choosing Kerry over Bush in five of the areas: caring about the needs of people like you, being a person you admire, having an optimistic vision for the country's future, being honest and trustworthy, and being a strong and decisive leader. The percentage of Americans choosing Bush went up on three of the dimensions, stayed the same on three, and dropped on two others.
The overall result: on every dimension except "shares your values," Kerry's net position among national adults was better after the convention than before.
(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...
Gallup Ping
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According to this poll data the DNC actually helped Bush among "registered" and "likely" voters... or maybe I'm reading it wrong...
When you look at the internals Bush is in great shape. Kerry is losing too big on the strong leadership and honesty questions to be elected. He can no longer use the excuse that "people don't know him". Kerry has failed to get any bounce in the 3 tests so far. His primary win, his VP choice and his convention. It looks like he has hit his ceiling. If he can't blow GW out in the debates he is not going to win.
I doubt he will. Bush will clobber him. Even with his occasional verbal gaffes, W is 10 times the communicator that Kerry is. Kerry has zero charisma and doesn't have a strong enough stand on anything to be effective.
I also think Cheney will rip Pretty Boy a new one in the VP debate...
First impressions only. I can't see how the being a person you admire and being honest and trustworthy will not sink beneath preconvention levels once people get a true feel for his record. In fact, if there was any strength in this bounce it would have translated to support.
By sheer coincidence, "Kerry Shares Your Values" was his campaign theme immediately before and during the convention.
The more people see Kerry, the less they like. If Kerry and Teresa would hide in a cave (or a Swiss Chalet) somewhere for the next 3 months, he might win in a landslide.
It's like saying "The French looked really good in their uniforms right before they were run over by the {pick your opponent here} opposing army".
Miss Congeniality wears no crown! No one is going to vote to hand over a war government to a wimp like Kerry on the strength of his caring nature.
"Kerry Shares Your Values"
LOL! If you gotta advertise it then you really don't have it, and if you don't have it, I ain't buying it.
Like saying, "I have a plan, really, I do, its a good one too, you'll see..." but never saying what the "plan" is because it either sucks or doesn't exist.
I can't wait for the VP debates. Cheney is going to eat Edwards lunch.
the funny thing is that on DU, they are claiming that polls using "registered voters" are closer to the "real picture" than polls using "likely voters." "everyone knows that," according to one DUper... or shall i say, "DUmmie?"
Registered voter polls aren't close to reality unless you're expecting 70% voter turnout. lol
Gallup's likely voter model assumes 55% turnout.
DUmmie would be quite a good description.
Not that I would EVER consider Kerry, but I must say, rumblings by our local demonrats showed that she did great harm to his campaign. Talk about "alienating," (no pun intended), conservative demonrat voters, but republicans as well! I am really angered that NO ONE is complaining of Heinz's complete OUTSOURCING of jobs to Europe! Kerry is a fool for even mentioning outsourcing. I hope he continues!
What I'm referring to as the "Cahill Gambit" - the toned down nature of the DNC Convention compared to what was said during the primaries, or during the Kerry stump speeches, seems to have had two "effects".
The DNC Convention didn't anger anybody.
The DNC Convention didn't win any converts.
I wonder, does the GOP have the balls to go hard right during the convention? Doesn't seem to, given the list of speakers.
I hate the idea that the President might play "not to lose" again, instead of "playing to win".
Kerry won't blow out anybody.
Kerry will come into the debates as the over whelming favorite to knock out Dubya. Liberals have great intellects and Conservatives are neanderthals. You should know that y now Tex. :-}
But it will end up the same as the Gore/Bush debates. The media will declare the Unlikeable John Kerry the winner by unanimous decision and the public will declare the Likeable and Competent President Bush the winner in November.
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