I want to pose this question to all DUers

[SammyBlue]

Maybe I'm a tad idealistic, but I personally believe the reason the media keeps screaming this is a close race (I just saw a poll on a news story on yahoo news with Kerry having a "slight" 8 point lead) is to keep people interested to increase voter turnout.

If the media starts claiming that Kerry is too far in front, we could have a repeat of Truman/Dewey (with Kerry being Dewey).

However, my theory would be completely blown out of the water if Bush were leading because the media might say it's hopeless.

I do believe the media is solidly in Bush's corner, but I do think saying it's tight will keep the lemmings interested.

[cheezus]

1. well, duh, they want a horserace

nobody is going to be watching cnn/msnbc/fox's coverage of the election if it's not.

[trotsky]

2. If that's the motivation, I welcome it.

Democrats benefit more from high turnout than do Republicans.

Though the theory that the media is keeping is close enough to allow the Bush gang to steal it also has some merit.

[noahmijo]

3. The reason for no bounce is because I think this particular election

People already have the minds made up. First off polls don't mean shit so ignore those, I don't trust anything that doesn't have a citation down to a point

The thing is though there won't be much of a bounce from the DNC covention is because no Bush supporter is going to change his/her mind much like I would assume all of us on here aren't going to change our minds after the RNC.

[kaitykaity]

4. I think if it's close, Bush can steal it again.

If people think it's close, then Bush winning isn't
out of the realm of possibility.

[never cry wolf]

8. Exactly kaity

If they fix the election but the polls had Kerry up by double digits, out come the pitchforks.

In addition, many people are sheeple, they want to do what everyone else is doing, want to watch the same shows, wear the current fashions, eat at the trendy restaurants, etc. If the actual numbers were like 60/40 Kerry, bunnypants would no longer be fashionable, by repeated how close the polls are, it's still ok to like him.

[CarolynEC]

9. One of the more troubling conspiracy theories

It's true what you say -- much easier to tamper with the results of a "close" race.

[prodigal_green]

5. Kerry is posting high numbers

among yound, single voters and women. Who have been the biggest group of nonvoters in recent years? Young single women.

If he can grab some of that action, he'll hit a home run (innuendo intended).

[Daisey Mae]

6. I feel that the media wants to imply that the 'horserace' is close......

UNLESS THE WORST CANDIDATE BUSH IN HISTORY is ahead...... Then you will be told it is not neccessary to vote because GODZILLA is gonna win anyway......At this point we have to ignore the PAID FOR media because they are all LIARS.......

[cthrumatrix]

7. BINGO..they are presstitutes for TPTB....until told otherwise