Upper Midwest Democrats await spark from Kerry

[question everything]

Upper Midwest Democrats await spark from Kerry

By Finlay Lewis
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

September 26, 2004

LA CROSSE, Wis. – John Medinger, the Democratic mayor of this Mississippi River city, has grown increasingly frustrated waiting for John Kerry's presidential campaign to catch fire.

"I'm shocked that this is even a race. Every significant economic indicator is headed in the wrong direction, and that should favor Kerry," Medinger said as he evaluated the presidential contest in his county. "Every Democrat I know is wondering what's going on."

The situation in Wisconsin's La Crosse County – a haven for swing voters who in recent presidential races have favored Democrats – bodes well for President Bush's campaign in the Upper Midwest, a closely contested battleground that could well determine the outcome of the struggle for the White House.

Recent polls in both Wisconsin and neighboring Minnesota suggest that while the races in the two states remain tight, the current tide might be running in the president's direction. Meanwhile, the sparsely populated states of North Dakota and South Dakota appear firmly lodged in the Bush column. Only in Michigan, with 17 electoral votes and seemingly intractable economic problems, does the Kerry campaign appear to have the upper hand.

Four years ago, Bush lost Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan while narrowly winning the presidency against Democrat Al Gore. That means a Bush breakthrough in either Wisconsin or Minnesota – both offer 10 electoral votes – would represent a significant setback for Kerry in accumulating the 270 electoral votes needed to win.

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Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040926/news_8n26midwest.html

[donco6]

1. So what's he want, exactly?

"The mayor complained in an interview that Kerry has failed to frame a message that resonates with voters alarmed about stagnant incomes, soaring health care costs and a murderous insurgency in Iraq."

That's all Kerry's been talking about! He's obviously just not paying attention.

[fairfaxvadem]

2. Why doesn't he suggest that his fellow voters follow the race?

This is B.S.

[madrchsod]

3. Copley news service says it all

can`t get more right wing than copley...but i agree with the mayor..there is no reason why bush should have a chance but he does.it is up to Kerry to get the message out in these states ,somehow it doesn`t seem to be working. yet maybe people just are keeping their ideas to themselves since this election is so divisive.

[sr_pacifica]

4. The ability to "catch fire" has a lot to do with news media

And, as has been pointed out ad nauseum, they are not doing their job.