Don't Worry, We'll Be Fine

[louis c]

DUers, the polls coming out in the next couple of days will show a slight decline in Kerry support nationwide.

Remember, even the most accurate polling data is three days behind, and in most cases five to seven days.

The polls coming out now are reflective of the "Swift Boat Liars for Bush" ads with no response. I firmly believe that the five day response, the Kerry ads, and the work done by the surrogates on this issue will cause a backlash against Bush.

That backlash will not become apparent for at least five to seven days. After all, the "Shame" ad, which I believe will be the most effective of all of Kerry's responses, hasn't even aired yet.

So, my advise is don't panic, watch the response, support Kerry even more enthusiastically, and watch his bounce in a week.

[michigandem2]

1. i'm not at all in panic mode

KKKarl Rove came out from under his rock..so I am confident that these guys are in panic mode though...although the media wants everyone to believe that Kerry is the mentally ill guy who can't let this go...he just wants to finish the fight..you can't punch someone and walk away...Kerry has to punch back and when he tries they are like "no dude I don't want to fight" LOL! its rediculous...and its very early...if this came out now...there is time to recover from any loss he may have gotten from this..which as it stands right now is minimal...

[wakfs]

3. I'm glad you're not in panic mode

I don't know. I've been hopeful that Kerry can pull this out, but lately I've been having second thoughts about his chances. Why? Here are my reasons, admittedly borne of emotion:

1. The mainstream media continues to give Bush a pass while constantly yammering on about Kerry's Viet Nam service. With the onset of the Republican convention, I expect to see even more pro-Bush yammering and very little positive news about Kerry.

2. The polls. I know, I know, polling is hardly the most scientific method of determining who will win an election, but I fear that the GOP convention will give Bush a bounce and that will be trumpeted in the media and may have the undesired effect of influencing undecided voters. Sort of like "Well I don't know much about Kerry and it looks like Bush will win. May as well vote for Bush."

3. The continuing and maddening mass stupidity of most Americans. You'd think they'd at least be able to connect the dots and see that Bush's policies have had the effect of squeezing the middle class. I have little faith in my fellow countrymen I'm afraid.

4. Kerry's seeming inability to hit Bush hard on the issues that matter most to most Americans: astronomically rising costs of health care (especially important to me as I've been recovering from a serious illness and my health insurance doesn't pay for all of it), rising costs of college, increasing power of corporations over all of our lives, the shifting of the tax burden to the middle class, etc.

5. Kerry's odd position on the Iraq war. He is plainly afraid of being labeled a "flip-flopper" by denouncing the entire war. This makes him look bad. He needs to get out "Senator mode" and go to "Trusted leader mode" and why his handlers haven't pushed him in this direction is beyond me.

6. Kerry's decision not to trumpet his senatorial successes. I'm sure there must be SOME!

7. Kerry's inability to warn Americans what four more years of Bush will mean. Illegal abortion, prayer in the schools, tax money funneled to religious organizations, a possible military draft, more wars, money we don't have spent on foolish items like a missile defense shield, outrageous budget deficits, further scaling back on "entitlement" programs such as privatizing part of social security, more tax burdens shifted to the middle class, etc.

That's all I can think of for now. I am angry at Kerry's extreme caution. I can only hope that Kerry and Edwards kick ass in the debates. I am beginning to believe that the debates will make or break Kerry's chances at getting elected.

Or maybe I'm just depressed because the LA Dodgers lost last night to the Expos.

[louis c]

4. kick

[MsUSA]

8. This point right here.......

7. Kerry's inability to warn Americans what four more years of Bush will mean. Illegal abortion, prayer in the schools, tax money funneled to religious organizations, a possible military draft, more wars, money we don't have spent on foolish items like a missile defense shield, outrageous budget deficits, further scaling back on "entitlement" programs such as privatizing part of social security, more tax burdens shifted to the middle class, etc.

Is what my red-necked neighborhood wants, no abortion, prayer in school, money given to religious organizations, and a dismantling of the entitlement programs, i,e welfare!!! I can't begin to even talk to them.....it's hopeless. :-(

[wakfs]

9. I'm beginning to think....

...that maybe we should have let the South secede from the Union!

[GalleryGod]

10. Have A Dodger Dog and Relax!

Believe RANDI RHODES and No Other Soothsayer!:crazy: :think:
Your Man in the Faculty Lounge:hangover: lookin' for Cruellers.
GG:smoke:

[zulchzulu]

2. We need to act like we're 10 points behind

Mobilize and get that grassroots effort in high gear.

[Shopaholic]

5. Remember--the polls

usually only poll those registered voters who voted in the last presidential election. We've signed up lots of new voters!!!!

[GoneOffShore]

6. You're right - And

Not enough people here are remembering that.
We need to keep the effort up and continue to register people, right up to the last minute we can.
Cause if we do * & Co get :kick: ed back to Texas.

[louis c]

11. kick

[jmknapp]

7. Newman!

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What, me worry?

[CBHagman]

12. Three things: Cognitive therapy, get the word out, and read up.

Cognitive therapy warns against all-or-nothing thinking, magnifying, predicting bad outcomes, etc. Google "cognitive distortions" and you'll get a list. DO NOT SPEND TIME TELLING YOURSELF WHAT WILL HAPPEN. You could be wrong, and besides, you are torturing yourself. We already have Bush & Co. to torture us, and they don't need assistance.

Two, do something. It's better to write a letter to the editor, call in to a program, or register someone to vote than to do nothing. At least you'll be fighting.

Three, occasionally I'm surprised by what I hear from the swing states. Mind you, some of it's anecdotal evidence, but the signs are interesting. Read the profile of Congressman Ike Skelton in the Style section of Wednesday's Washington Post and you'll find some interesting developments in Missouri, for example.