Great point. Bush won on substance because he is right on the issues, but he missed so many opportunities to stomp on Kerry and subsequently dispirit Kerry's base. No matter how good Bush does from now on, Kerry's voters are energized.
BUT...we have to remember, this election isn't going to be just GIVEN to us. I don't think we are complacent, and maybe I'm trying to look for the silver lining, but maybe we needed this wake-up call, too.
But in the end, nothing substantively has changed. In all cases--debates, conventions--the talking heads say someoen has done a good job, and polls (some or all) show that yeah, others can agree with that. But it levels out to where people are SUBSTANTIVELY.
Don't panic, people. Don't forget this election is not decided on national popular vote. It's on state-by-state electoral votes. The President has been behind on the popular vote before, and even WON after losing the popular vote.
One MSM poll doesn't make the election, a month before the election. Especially coming from a biased source like Newsweek. Even if all the polls come in this way, just work harder and pray harder. The President WILL win in the end.
"...Bush won on substance cause he is right on the issues.."
Correct. However, his delivery was anything but confident and assured that he IS right! He was so dispassionate and seemingly NOT self-assured. He had a defeatist look and demeanor.