Okay people

[ibegurpard]

Even if you BELIEVE the poll everyone is panicking about is valid, does anyone seriously believe that Bush wasn't going to get a benefit from his convention, particularly given the way the media was all too glad to help sweep things like the purple heart mockers and the Zell-thing under the carpet?
We still have two whole months to go and even if you believe (as I do) that the Kerry campaign was caught flat-footed on the Swift Boat Liars fiasco, they know what they're dealing with now. Two months is an eternity in politics, Kerry has lots of money and there is a LOT of stuff to throw at Bush. The question is the most effective way to do it. I think there are a lot of smart people who will be working overtime now to find a way to do just that. Am I sticking my head in the sand? Absolutely not. The possibility that Bush could win this thing either legitimately or illegitimately has always been very good. But panicking the day after the Republican convention is a bit premature. By all means, understand that I share your concerns... I've been less than happy with the Kerry campaign at times (clue: look at my avatar) but there's just no reason to panic yet.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Not panicking at all

Polls can be skewed. There is no indication who they polled. I look at this election one voter at a time. NO ONE, I mean NO ONE I know who is voting Kerry is changing their vote or is planning to sit this election out. NO ONE has said a word in defense of Bush in my presence. I have continually reminded folks about the shoddy way Bush has treated veterans, namely because it is true and that argument rings true with many folks around here.

Keep on working. Don't give up. The whole point of this poll is to make us give up. The only way Bush will win is if we give up. The more voters that go to the polls, the more votes Kerry gets.

[roseBudd]

2. we should all hit the streets

blogging and posting on forums can only do so much

face to face contact and dialoque with total strangers will

don't be shy, its fun

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. I second that!

Either sign up with your local Dem organization to do voter registration or door knocking, or just talk to people when you're out in the world. I do it all the time. I have a Kerry/Edwards sticker on my car, a button, and a shirt I wear a lot. People ask me about the election, and it's a great way to start a dialogue.

I'm finding there are still a LOT of people who just don't feel their vote matters, or that Bush and Kerry are both just lame lying politicians, so why vote for either. These are the people we have to reach. Talk to them about why their vote matters, and especially why their vote for Kerry matters.

If we can get a lot of these people to the polls, we win.

[Octafish]

3. Huzzah!

Well said, ibegurpard. And NOW is the time to get started.

Bush is a CROOK!

[ibegurpard]

5. kick

I don't want to sound like one of the irritating optimists-at-all-costs because they bug me just as much as many of the rest of you but I really can't see a reason to freak out just yet.