Bush starts stump blitz in key states - Polls show president trails Kerry

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 8/10/04 | Ken Herman

[madprof98]

It is unbelievable to me that John Kerry is a serious contender - let alone the leading contender - for the presidency. Something is very wrong with this country.

[Texas_Dawg]

Something is very wrong with this country.

This country is fine. It's August.

[tenthirteen]

Fear not, for W will prevail in this endeavor. This is not the time for the timid to grow fearful. Kerry is not able to sustain this race much longer, and the Prez is now building a crescendo that will peak in a timely manner and will be successful.

[IrishGOP]

''The Bush campaign knows it is in deep trouble,'' Sabato said

What is this guy talking about? Republicans haven't even had their convention yet. If the president is campaigning he's in trouble? ok, whatever. He says Bush has been trailing all summer ala Truman, I don't think all polls have shown the president trailing all summer have they?

[ZULU]

Atlanta - a pustule of northern liberal putrescence on the fair face of Georgia.

[Vigilanteman]

The only good news in this article is the source-- The Atlanta Urinal-Constipation.

[no dems]

First lady Laura Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are also crisscrossing the country, making campaign stops this week. When will Bush 41 and Barbara get out there on the campaign trail? Everyone loves Barbara.

[no dems]

This country is fine. It's August. Exactly! People need to stop the hand-wringing and get to work. After the Dem's convention in '88, Dukakis led Bush 41 by 17% points. And, being the VEEP he would have to be considered the "incumbent". Like William Safire said Sunday: "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THESE POLLS. THIS ELECTION WILL BE DECIDED IN THE DEBATES THIS FALL."

[pollywog]

It is unbelievable to me that John Kerry is a serious contender - let alone the leading contender - for the presidency. Something is very wrong with this country.

Yes, I must agree with you....we are a country in peril. I must say though, I have been frustrated with Bush the last several days. His policies on Mexican immigrant status, and having our elections monitored by foreigners, angers me beyond words!!! I am going to vote for him, of course. But I am sure this is not going to help his poll numbers!!!! I wrote him and told him so!!!!!

[veronica]

''The Bush campaign knows it is in deep trouble,'' Sabato said, noting that Harry Truman was the only president since the advent of modern polling to win re-election after running behind his opponent during the summer. Most current polls show Democratic challenger John Kerry with a slight lead.

This year isn't like any other. When did Harry Truman have his convention? Was Harry Truman the object of the most vile and protracted smear campaign by the left in cahoots with the press?? Between the GOP convention, 9-11, the debates, and GOD, I believe Bush will win this election. Elections happen too infrequently for pundits to make absolute judgments based on general models anyway.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

It is unbelievable to me that John Kerry is a serious contender - let alone the leading contender - for the presidency. Something is very wrong with this country.

I think it comes down to how comfortable people feel about how the candidates articulate their positions.

Bush is a stumblebum speaker, well below average in ability.

Kerry is a smooth-talker.

Americans generally choose the candidate who can best explain his message.

Carter was similar to Bush in speaking ability.

Kerry is more like Clinton.

Bush delivers a great speech but his unpolished daily mumbling turns people off.

If he had Reagan's finesse, Bush would be in line for a landslide victory.

[Richard Kimball]

My favorite Bush photo, from the last inauguration:

This election is a big test for the old media. They've been dragging Kerry to the election like they're trying to get a drunk prom date to the front door. They've always been biased, but this time they aren't even bothering to pretend to be covering the news. When Kerry goes down, you're going to hear wailing and gnashing of teeth like you've never heard before.

[normy]

Contrary to the headline the Atlanta Journal Constitution printed, this story is actually about how Bush is in big trouble and what Kerry and his supporters think about it.

[normy]

Kerry is more like Clinton.

So will Kerry get 43% of the vote or 49%? and don't ever compare Carter to Bush ;-)

[GROOVY]

''The Bush campaign knows it is in deep trouble,'' Sabato said, noting that Harry Truman was the only president since the advent of modern polling to win re-election after running behind his opponent during the summer. Most current polls show Democratic challenger John Kerry with a slight lead.

I have seen a few of Sabatos pieces he is really off his rocker this election. If you look at Gallup, Clinton was ahead of Dole by 7 points after Doles convention. If you look at Gallup Bush is ahead of Kerry by 6 points after Kerry's convention.

[GeorgiaDawg]

I agree - to a point. I agree that hand-wringing is ineffective, but I do think we all need to stop the "Bush will win it in a landslide" talk...that leads to complacency which leads to defeat. We are going to have to work our rears off because the democrat base is energized and they HATE GWB.

Getting out the vote will be important for our side because the libs will show up for this one.

[WhiteGuy]

"Bush's stump message will continue to focus on domestic security and the economy."

We're not seeing many ads or statements here in OH-IO that address these two vital issues.

I'm most interested to find out how soon the foreign invaders will be repelled and when the government will remove the restrictions they have placed on capitalism.

I'll look forward to his next visit to OH-IO

[GWfan]

Have you ever seen the POTUS give a live speech?

He connects more with the people than Kerry could even dream about. The reason Kerry was inside in IA giving a 'summit' on economics last week and GW Bush was outside speaking in front of 13,000 is not because Kerry presents well to the people.

Kerry will not be a serious contender in about 1 more month. The pollsters will not be able to hide that Bush will pull way ahead of Kerry.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Kerry will not be a serious contender in about 1 more month. The pollsters will not be able to hide that Bush will pull way ahead of Kerry.

I hope you are right!!

[ilgipper]

Kerry is in no way like Clinton. Clinton succeeded due to his speaking ability and personal skills. Kerry has very little of this, which is why he polls better when he is not seen. Kerry is being propped up by a cooperative media campaign against the President. He could not stand on his own.