Finally, I Feel Optomistic and Full of Hope!!

[ItsMyParty]

When I saw CNN late today announce that top Dems have pressured Kerry to shake up his campaign staff and it seems like he's doing just that, I cried. Those of us who have been through decades of campaigns know that a few weeks ago something went terribly wrong for Kerry and it was moving towards fatal. I knew John before had known when it was time to get rid of people and was beginning to think he just wasn't seeing the trees for the forest. Thank God he's not one of those dopes who just keeps plodding along on a scripted path when the ground has shifted under him!!!

I know McAuliff was interviewed late this afternoon and tried to sound like he knew nothing about it but that people were always being added to the staff, etc. (I think this was to just put a softer spin on it). I now am totally filled with hope because I know that with some good handling of the press, and more aggressive messages Kerry can nail this thing. There are so many things to kill Bush on and all Kerry needed was some permission and structure to do it. I hope it is all on go come this weekend because now we can take it to Bush and win this thing. Go John....and listen to the new guys!!!

[billybob537]

1. TWO WORDS CARVILLE & CLINTON n/t

[bahrbearian]

3. And Begala

[kstewart33]

2. I wish i was as hopeful

There's not one fighter among the new crew. I see a repeat of Gore 2000.

[polmaven]

4. Um,

You mean when Gore won?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. all Kerry needed was some permission?

Sounds like something Rove would say to hammer Kerry. Cut it out.

[ItsMyParty]

6. NYorker--those were my words not CNN's

I know everyone but everyone but everyone lies. We are the only bastion of truth. Sorry but the story is coming out all over the media and Kerry has in the past gotten rid of campaign staff when he knew things weren't working. I'm delighted that he's moving on this and not being like a long list of losers who just keep marching in the same rut to defeat. But I have a feeling that there will be those who if he changes advisors would prefer he lose rather than admit that the campaign needed a change. You can't make the blunders they did in responding to the swiftboat ads at this level and at this late date. I'm glad Kerry is smart enough to realize that.

[mzmolly]

10. I agree! The greater message here is the Swift Boat Liars were not

properly handled. And they WEREN'T. I thought we were turning things around, but it was to little to late?

This looks good for Kerry because it says "the Swifties lied" and the Kerry camp was not on top of it.

If the Swifties were honest, everyone would be fine with how Kerry's camp handled this smear. But they were dishonest and much of America now BELIEVES THEM. Like it or not, they hurt Kerry and different strategy might have helped.

[lancdem]

12. Most of America does not believe the Swift Boat smears

I'm not saying it couldn't have been handled better, but polls do not show the majority of voters believe them.

[mzmolly]

15. True, but 25% - 30% does, and that's to f'n many.

:hi:

And of the 70% that don't, they are not holding Bush accountable as they should.

[drdigi420]

7. dont buy the ruse

its the GOP spreading rumours to make the Kerry campaign appear to be in disarray, and attempt to strengthen their 'flip-flop' accusations

[bobbyboucher]

8. Exactly, Kerry already has every vote he needs.

The Bushites are the desperate ones. Take one look at those people at the convention, they are beaten.

[goodhue]

9. That is the spirit.

I've been feeling that way for some time now.

[Thrill]

11. Shaking the campaign up is all good and dandy BUT

Its as simple as this. Kerry needs minorities and young people to come out big for him to win. If they stay home and don't vote. Oh well........

[Sensitivity]

13. Thank God!

[Armstead]

14. You haven't been listening to the Democrats

I've heard about five Democrats in the power structure give a "What Me Worry?" response to this report this evening. It looks like they're happy to keep pulling punches.

The reply has been "We're doing great. We're happy where we are, and we're moving ahead in the same way. No major changes. We're sticking with our team and game plan."

Maybe that's spin to put the best face on it. But spin is not what we need. We have truth on our side and GODDAMIT WE NEED TO BE HONEST!

This tepid happy face crap by professional Democrats -- including Kerry -- is going to sink us. They've got to roll up the sleeves and start to express the mix of hope and anger that's in the streets.

[goodhue]

16. happy happy

joy joy

[ItsMyParty]

17. Armstead---yes, this was the reply given by McAuliff for one but

like I said above, I think that was just to cover any "gee, you guys must be in a state of panic" type talk. They want to give the appearance that alls going smooth while at the same time these new people are just "coming aboard"---the campaign is careful not to fire people and replace=--it's just extra hands coming aboard (wink, wink). In fact I remember on that horrible night in 2002 when we got killed McAuliff was asked why he was saying everything was going our way, etc. He said something to the effect that he had to pretend, he couldn't come out and say that we were screwed in advance even though he knew we were screwed. That's why I turn off Terry as fast as I turn off a repuke. Right now his job is maning the smoke screen while this campaign is being re-tooled.