I noticed that we lost some energy today at DU.

[kstewart33]

I worked all day at my computer today and periodically checked in at DU to see what's going on. So for what it's worth, my sense is that today and tonight, we seem let down and a bit tired. The posts are less enthusiastic, there isn't as much fight in us, we just seem tired, and so tired of parsing polls.

It is hard to maintain enthusiasm and spirit when things aren't going well. And the sense I get is that they're not. Why? Four reasons, I think. Kerry has failed to produce and market a consistent message. Kerry nor his campaign knows how, nor is comfortable with, attack politics. The Repubs are much better at it and at managing the media. And the media are intimidated by the White House, just enough, to make the difference.

So I've given several hundred dollars to Kerry, and I'm resigned to the realities. We've learned some very tough lessons at DU in the last few years. I just wish that the powers that be in the Dem party would learn them too and act on them.

Let's hope for a turnaround. Good night; everybody get some sleep.

[kentuck]

1. I thought so too...

Thanks!

[bushwakker]

2. I think some people are seeing that "the media" are not going to

do John Kerry's work for him. These stories about Bush's character are helpful in the short term in that they keep Bush off balance and responding, but will fade unless Dems and the Kerry camp learn how to use the media to keep them going. I personally think that JK needs to get off the high horse and call Bush out about his lost years. Don't think he'll do it though.

[Spazito]

3. It is no surprise, campaigns are like that...

roller coaster rides, you just have to hang on and ride it out. Given that Kerry is polling even with the incumbent, the campaign is doing very well, imo. bush is under 50 and historical stats say those who poll under 50 do NOT get a second term.

Having been part of campaigns, the ups and "downs" emotionally are very normal.

(I know my being Canadian may cause some to wonder but all politics are the same, regardless of the country in which they are practiced)

[Meshuga]

5. The media is helping everybody go down.

The media only reports negatives about Kerry and the positives about Bush. They spent TRHEE WEEKS on the vets for Bush and now they are not going to report the facts about W's record.

[sleipnir]

7. "Polling even with the incumbent" is becoming a tired old canard.

Not a personal attack, Spazito, but I'm getting really sick and tired of hearing how Kerry is polling even with an incumbent. This line is trotted out on a daily basis around me since Kerry wrapped up the nomination and I for one wonder when is he going to start polling better than *?

Will he still be even at the end of September?

Will he still be even at the end of October?

Will he still be even on Nov. 2nd?

Maybe it's my frustration right now with the Kerry campaign, but I fear we'll be giving the old canard right up until Nov. 2nd, and Bush will "Die-bold" the election and Kerry will have no ground to challenge the "strange" results. I think the "polling even" will be the media's excuse for looking the other way while Bush pulls out a squeaker.

[Spazito]

11. Polling even with an incumbent at this stage is historically very positive

as to Diebold, I cannot answer. My point in responding was simply to say that campaigns are not emotionally flat, they are roller coaster rides. Using historic trends is one way of looking at the way it is going in a campaign. The incumbent starts with the advantage, it is up to them to keep it. bush has not, he is having to fight hard just to stay even with Kerry and the poor excuse for a media in the US.

[demosincebirth]

18. Game tied...six inning.

[bigtree]

I have a different explanation

Most of us have other things to do besides our dedication to this election. When the Texans for Truth went into action, when Barnes did his thing on 60mins, with the new polls proving the previous bounce a sham, folks just naturally let go and feel satisfied to leave things to the principals. No big deal, just a breather after a pitched battle and defense after the RNC.

[duhneece]

23. And I have yet another explanation

I imagine many DUers are at campaign headquarters, manning a phone bank, walking precincts, doing voter registration. As much as I love DU, I am spending less time here and more time doing these things...hoping others are, too!

[seabeyond]

4. i have been consistantly hearing kerry

doing his job. kerry is good in the polls. i dont have a problem with kerry really

i did watch once again tonight the news telling us, we dont like kerry, kerry isnt being consistant, kerry isnt a man............

why is media defining who kerry is to me. why is media telling me i dont like kerry.

this is my issue. not kerry

[DemBones DemBones]

27. Amen! When some asshat on television

tells me "The American people don't know who John Kerry is," I want to emulate Elvis and shoot my TV.

It's not possible for all these talking heads to have independently come up with the same weird takes on Kerry. Someone on television should be seeing his strengths and mentioning them. Someone on television should be providing impartial analysis of what people say about Kerry -- and of what people say about Bush* as well. That's what good journalism does.

[AmerDem]

6. sometimes I don't know where posts like this come from!

for Christ sake look at the news we had today! It was GREAT! This boggles the fucking mind!

[Jim Sagle]

8. Snap out of it. Today RRRRAWWWWWWWKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chichiri]

9. I noticed that too

Maybe it's because a lot of people, myself included, were expecting a "magic bullet" today with the AWOL story breaking. Of course it didn't happen -- I don't believe there are any magic bullets with these guys.

There's a saying: in the battle between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins -- not through strength, but through sheer, unending persistence. I think DUers would do well to keep that in mind in their fight against Bush* and his cronies.

[TheDonkey]

10. things are heating up too fast imo. people getting burned out

arguing with one another on DU when we should be a united front in order to go out and tear down the right wing thungs.

DU moderation has let these boards be overrun by posts attacking Kerry and his campaign and it's taking it's toll.

[seabeyond]

12. between this board and media, wink

[not systems]

13. I thought momentum was back on our side today...

Kerry is hitting hard.
Dick threating nation.
Bush practicing love.
Bush chickening out of debate with real questions.
Bush hammered on AWOL.
Texans for Truth bringing it.

There is more today was a good day.

[redstateblues]

14. C'mon- Do Something- Volunteer To Take Voters to The Polls

Anything besides projecting helplessness. What good is that?

[shivaji]

15. What? Mr. Electable in trouble? No fricking way!!

I can only wish it was Dean who was the nominee. Sigh...
Dean has a backbone, a core, and knows how to fight.
Bushco has successfully tagged the "flip-flopper" tag
on Kerry's back, and Kerry can't shake it.

[bigtree]

19. Dean didn't know enough to win the primary, fight or no fight.

Bush is flipping on his flip-flops and his flips are flopping. Bush can't shake it.

[Awsi Dooger]

16. I was a bit numbed tonight, after actually agreeing with Kellyane Conway

"People don't understand why Kerry is talking about Bush instead of Kerry, and about Vietnam instead of Iraq."

There was also a segment from Pennsylvania, a reporter astutely pointing out that Bush is wearing open-collared shirts at rallies with Kerry in a suit and tie. "Bush is nailing down the regular guy vote."

After the chat with Clinton, I was hoping for a more focused and memorable start to this week, not "W is for Wrong." Kerry has the advantage of time, and the debates, and virtually all the issues, but the average Joes and Jills I query at the golf course and grocery store, etc. every day are distressingly unenthused. It's admittedly difficult for me to ignore that, or stop questioning them about Kerry, and get caught up in the typical DU optimism.

[dennis4868]

21. i did not hear Kerry talk....

about Vietnam today....did you?

[Awsi Dooger]

26. Agreed, almost none post-convention other than Swift Boat response

Again, this is pure frustration based on my stranger mini-interviews. Whether media driven or Kerry's failure to connect, they invariably bring up flip-flops and Vietnam, little else unless very much anti-Bush. I drove from Las Vegas to Saratoga this summer, then thru Philly, Atlantic City and down to Orlando and Miami, almost two full months. The sample is widespread and diverse enough that I'm genuinely concerned if Kerry can surge his likables and pull this out. Maybe I've just been stopping at every rightwing convenience store.

[DaveinMD]

22. Kerry's been doing great

this week and Bush is clearly on the defensive.

[Dems Will Win]

17. Kerry is Seabiscuit. He has to let the other horse catch up in the race

and look him in the eye. Then he finally starts to run!

[DaveinMD]

20. why the negativity

this has been a great week so far. The story is dripping out there. Kerry is fighting back hard. The state by state polling is pulling back towards Kerry just a few days after the convention. Life is good.

[goodhue]

24. not me

Today was a great day.
Kerry gave a breakout speech.
One of the best of his I've ever heard.
Because of Bush's wrong choices we are spending $200 bill in Iraq while running up debt at home, costing health care and jobs.

[DaveinMD]

30. that's a message

that polls real well in the all internal polling I've seen for my clients.

[lasttrip]

25. its jk's run for the roses

"all good things in all good time".
Peace.

[dennis4868]

28. nope....

not me....i am volunteering for Kerry...made my calls and did alot of groundwork today and I have alot of fight in my posts...we are going to beat the enemy....Bush, the media, supreme court, etc...

[JI7]

29. whatever, speak for yourself