Posted on 09/06/2004 4:39:18 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
BOSTON — John F. Kerry has been here before.
Turning into the final eight weeks of the presidential campaign, the Democratic nominee faces doubts within his party and pundits increasingly skeptical of his chances against a resurgent President Bush, who seems to have momentum heading his way.
It is reminiscent of the Democratic race last winter, when Kerry was counted among the living dead and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was romping to the Democratic nomination — or so it appeared.
But there is another contest that may be instructive, a campaign that political connoisseurs rate as one of the all-time classics: the 1996 U.S. Senate race between Kerry and Massachusetts' popular Republican governor, William F. Weld.
.....Although no election is like any other, the close-quarters combat of that Senate race offers clues to how the Democratic nominee operates under pressure, the steps he will take to win — and suggests why Democrats, nervous as some may be, are counting on another Kerry comeback.
With his reelection bid lagging — polls had Kerry trailing Weld in August by 8 percentage points — the senator abruptly shed one of his top aides and replaced him with a pugnacious ad man who crafted a more partisan message emphasizing pocketbook issues. Kerry worked to overcome his stuffy reputation by revealing a more personal and humble side to voters. He dug into his wallet even though it meant ignoring the spending limits he originally agreed to abide by. And he fiercely defended his Vietnam War record when his credibility was called into question.
Each was identical to steps Kerry would take years later as he rallied from behind to capture the Democratic presidential nomination and, more recently, fend off charges he exaggerated his Vietnam combat record.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Are you sure your jury call came from voter registration? It used to be that way here in California, but years ago it changed to drivers license holders.
Dean imploded in a manic moment. Bush isn't likely to do that.
One comeback qualifies someone to be President?
Wasn't it dishonorable to break the agreement with Weld?
Do we want a President who needs a crisis to perform well?
There are no pluses in Kerry's leadership column.
Notice he was the incumbent in that race. Not so here and as the others have pointed out, he's not running in Mass. I admit I'm somewhat concerned with Clinton's hatchet squad coming aboard but doesn't this show *EXACTLY* why Kerry's *wrong* for the job? He can't even run a successful campaign without swapping teams or begging someone for advice. These are *not* earmarks of the kind of *LEADERSHIP* we need or can AFFORD at this time.
more pipe dreams from the left...where do they get that weed....
IMHO, other than showing a trend among a limited and unidentified group of participants, an internet poll is meaningless---followed respectively by the polls of "adults" and "registered voters".
The poll results that matter are those from "likely" voters---the folks who actually went out and voted in the last two elections and who will most "likely" do it again on Nov. 2.
They forget that Kerry did not win-Dean self-destructed-Bush will not self-destruct
"...when Kerry was counted among the living dead..."
No wonder Kerry is considered such a pain in the neck.
Does Kerry take along a coffin with his native earth, to sleep in?
Yeah, he brought in a bunch of his sycophant war buddies to lie for him. It won't wash this time. We got the Swiftboat vets to thank for that. Besides, the country is NOT Massachusetts
Kerry's not going anywhere. My friend's wife is a democrat. Just a regular democrat. Her and her friends don't like Kerry. They are not voting this year.
The river boat guys are not finished.
First, Democrats outnumber Republicans in Massachusetts about 3 to 1. Second, Kerry has finished "strong" by maligning his opponents. [Notice the new Kitty Kelly book claiming Bush is a drugger.]
Anyone who reads Unfit for Command will see that Kerry is an empty suit.
That's an enormous percentage of non-citizens! It is also illegal. What were the courts doing about reporting these noncitizens to the INS?
Bush probably has anticipated Kerry's pattern and is setting the next trap. Clinton only really did a good job of electing himself. He's propping up a stiff here not the best liar around. Go ask Kerrey about that.
Yup. It's the same way the MSM helped Kerry through the primaries.
Don't be surprised if this is how it plays out.
"Why do I have this feeling those two polls....Time and Newsweek werea set up.....that will show a Kerry comeback in the weeks to come"
Because you are right. The best way to get a grasp on the bounces and changes is to just watch one poll. Even if the actual numbers are off, the changes in those poles will reflect the momentum.
The Rasmussen people gave Bush a 6-7 point bounce and ultimately a 4-5 point lead. No more. This makes sense based on what has consistently been said about voters having already made up their minds.
My prediction: we are back to 47/47 by the debates. The outcome of the debates will make the difference barring an October surprise.
This is why it is still so important not to gloat in overconfidence about our touchdown while we give the other team the chance to take the ball down the field.
That's beautiful.
The river boat guys are not finished.
Yeah, they will soon be on their way up in the Mississippi River to the tune of "Old Man River"!!!
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