O.K. I try not to but I'm feeling pretty crappy today....

[vi5]

I know there are still 2 months to go.
I know that Kerry is a strong closer.
I know that Iraq and the economy are probably only going to get worse.
I know the polls are bunk and are manipulated to a degree.
And I know I shouldn't be a chicken little.
And I'm still going to continue fighting and campaigning tooth and nail.

But I just feel really defeated today. The media is just so full of it. They are dismissing the new AWOL stuff, 1,000 times faster than they even began to think about debunking the swift boat liars. They are playing up Bush's poll numbers. And as much as I know that polls are bunk, I just can't help but be depressed over the Ohio and Missouri numbers.

I am bummed that when Bush plays dirty and puts the smears out there that the media treats that crap as fact. But when we actually point out facts and specific things which make Bush look bad, they are dismissed.

I'm not even someone who will blame Kerry. I think Kerry is running a great campaign. Everything from his choice of Edwards, to the convention to everything he's done has been exactly what I would have wanted him to do. But no matter what he does the Media is Gore-ing him like they did to Al in 2000. But even back then I could see that Gore was making some mis-steps and the media was simply capitalizing. I don't think Kerry has made many, if any mis-steps. If he attacks people complain that he's going negative. If he tries to stay positive he gets crap for not being a fighter.

Sorry for this rant. I know I shouldn't be this pissed off about where things are 2 months out, but I am. And I'm just as pissed at so many liberals I know who loathe Bush but who are considering not voting for Kerry because they "don't see the difference between the two parties" or "Kerry is just boring" or any number of other excuses.

[Penible]

1. buck up ...

2 points

1) JFK is trying to drill home that this is the WRONG war at the WRONG time in the WRONG place. People will respond to the message that our soldiers ... their very sons and daughters ... are dying in a hopeless, immoral cause, in service of the depraved interests of corporations.

2) JFK is reaching out and giving hope to people by proposing a new Department of Wellness, which shows his true values.

[Indiana_Dem]

4. Welcome to DU!

I never heard of a new Department of Wellness? Can you point me to his plan for this?

[Penible]

12. wellness ...

I got this from Slate yesterday (a great resource): In response to a question from a woman about the health problems caused by mold and indoor air contamination—and her complaint, "There's not one agency in this government that has come forward" to deal with the problem—Kerry endorsed the creation of a new federal department. "What I want to do, what I'm determined to do, and it's in my health-care plan, is refocus America on something that can reduce the cost of health care significantly for all Americans, which is wellness and prevention," Kerry said. So far, so good. But then, "And I intend to have not just a Department of Health and Human Services, but a Department of Wellness."

[Child_Of_Isis]

2. I had one of those days today.

Them messing with the polls is totally messing with me. (groan)

[Indiana_Dem]

3. You know what I think when I start feeling that way?

I think to myself that I'm glad and feel good that I'm doing everything in my power to change the direction we're traveling and if I can't do it--at least I know I've tried my best. How can you feel bad for trying your best? If we lose, just think of how the truth will be known after all the SHTF. And you can sit back and say, "it's not my fault, I tried my best to change this direction we've gone."

My best includes registering voters, praying, and donating money--not backing down through the storm. I feel good that no matter what happens, I know I tried. Is that bad?

[Penible]

6. just one point ...

JFK has hesitated somewhat to emphasize choice enough. There are many suburban women who are influenced by choice, as opposed to fighting the Halliburton War. They know that "terrorism" has nothing to do with what is going on in Iraq.

JFK must draw the line sharply ... defending dilation and extraction is the line in the sand. Some (selfishly) want to draw attention to Beslan as relevant to this election. The war in this country is drawn at a woman's health and her right to reproductive autonomy!

JFK, where is your (popular) defense of the body in the face of sideshows like Iraq?

[Indiana_Dem]

11. Put yourself in the shoes of running for the presidency,

your Democratic party platform includes choice. There are many one-issue voters, for example, pro-choice/pro-life. There is a growing population of people against choice because their generation has never experienced having no choice. Heck, most of us can't even remember women's suffrage in the early 1900s when women couldn't vote! We all take it for granted. I feel the less he says about the subject, the better off we'll be and all the present rules will be upheld. I haven't noticed it as a big issue in this campaign but it could be if either party decides to bring it up and I'm sure it will hurt him in the long run. Let the Dem party platform speak for itself.

I'm very sure Kerry will defend dilation and extraction. His record shows up very positive for women's rights.

In a roundabout way, his fighting for the importance of getting the best SC justices will be silently speaking for the pro-choice issue. He can speak about this without talking blatently about abortion directly.

[PretzelWarrior]

5. FEEL THE HEAT. SOme like it hot. Some like it hooottttt. Bush is toast

that little man is going down in a blaze of glory because the all-powerful will of the people is going to save the day. As Noam Chomsky has said, every so often, the people aren't cowed by public opinion or by powerful interests and jump out to demand their voices be heard.

I believe this is one of those years. We know the folks in charge are licking their lips at a real shot at legitimacy. You think these 4 years are bad? Wait until Bush has seal of a real victory if that were to happen. He would abolish the constitution and start his own dictatorship called Bushworld where his every petty impulse is met with immediate action.

The people of this country realize what is at stake and will kick the shit out of the pundits who warm themselves at the fire of the king makers. They are in it for the power and the glory. THEY DON'T GIVE A DAM ABOUT YOU OR THE TRUTH.

FUCK THEM. VOTE FOR KERRY! STICK IT TO THE MAN. VOTE FOR KERRY.

[cheshire]

7. Washington Dems slamming *'s service. Some folks are looking at

the terrorist in Russia like we haven't done what *'S said. It's a great day.

[lasttrip]

8. another night, another mood so another

"all good things in all good time"

Peace.

[Bake]

9. Why the hell would * lead in OHIO of all places??

Hasn't Ohio lost a half million jobs since the Boy King took office? How can Ohioans even THINK about going for Smirk???

I too have a bad feeling about this today.

Bake

[Indiana_Dem]

13. Did you read the post earlier?

MSNBC was in a diner in Columbus OH interviewing a couple of people, 2 of whom work in a voter registration office or something. They said there have been 80,000 new voter registrations this year in Columbus ALONE! And they said most of them were wanting Bush out of office. They themselves also said they were not voting for Bush. So please don't forget the groundwork and all the new voter registrations that the polls haven't factored in! Don't lose hope!

[Penible]

18. why the hell?

Why the hell would * lead in OHIO of all places??

Good Q. This is especially puzzling if you keep in mind how Ohio has historically stood when it comes to repug candidates. Glenn has been a senator for many years.

If you subtract the copperheads and the so-called Reagan Democrats (who oppose dilation and extraction, and who deludely think Beslan has relevance) you come up with sheer selfishness and greed. I work with a guy from Ohio and I kid him (without a lot of disaggreance ... lol) how dumb people are from Ohio.

JFK kicks posterior when he comes from behind and people from Ohio might (hopefully) admire a guy who comes from behind, if in fact he is not in front already.

JFK is renowned for getting it together when he is behind, and in Ohio it might well be true.

[molly]

10. That's what they are counting on for everyone

a defeatist attitude.

[Bake]

14. I'm not a defeatist, but goddamn when will Kerry start kicking some ASS?

I keep waiting to see JK fighting back, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting ...

We've got the surrogates out there, and Edwards is firing back, but dammit to hell, when will KERRY start fighting???

I'm also pretty bummed about the millions of Americans who remain blissfully ignorant. UNDECIDED??? How can ANYONE who has been paying the tiniest bit of attention for the past three years still be undecided??? What the fuck is there to think about???

Bake

[Bake]

15. And I keep hearing "Kerry is a strong closer"

Well fuck me blind, it's TIME TO START CLOSING!!! Now, before it's too late.

Bake

[athena]

23. Kerry has been fighting back for weeks.

Just because the media isn't covering it doesn't mean he hasn't been fighting back. A few weeks ago, he called attention to Bush's flip-flops. Last week, he gave an excellent speech in which he outlined exactly what Bush did wrong in Iraq -- it was the speech in which he said, "I wouldn't have done just one thing differently; I would have done almost everything differently." He went on to list all the ways in which Bush screwed up, but the media cut him off, making him sound defensive. If Bush had said similar things about Kerry, we would still be hearing and reading about them all over the place.

Listen to Air America Radio, and you will hear Kerry fighting back.

[Bake]

24. If the public doesn't see it, it DIDN'T HAPPEN!!

It's just like damn "professional" wrestling! If the ref doesn't see a foul, it didn't happen.

The media may not COVER it, but Kerry better fucking BUY some coverage!! Or make the counterattack so damn aggressive that the media HAS to cover it.

Bake

[NoPasaran]

16. Feeling like crap tonight?

Fine. Get drunk. Do a couple of bong hits. Whatever you do in these situations.

But tomorrow, get your freakin' ass in gear. Register some votes. Make some phone calls. Walk your precinct.

The fact is that John Kerry cannot win this election without all of us doing something. Instead of watching the crap on TV, shut the damn thing off and do your part. (If you already are and are just having a downer day, please excuse my rant.)

[GumboYaYa]

17. Don't be depressed about Missouri.

I have access to very detailed internal polling in this state and can tell you for a fact that there is no 15 point difference right now. It is nip and tuck in Missouri and will likely come down to turnout in St. Louis and Kansas City.

[Catherine Vincent]

19. Congratulations!

I just read a part of your post on FR.

[PretzelWarrior]

20. so the F*CK what? we're always linking to their stuff too

well, you guys are anyway. I swear. It's like a slumber party with two cliques of girls off ratting on the other ones

[Fed Up]

21. I get the same way, vi5

It seems if I stay away from DU for 2 or 3 days, the very hour I log back on, some new bad poll just comes out.

It's tough to take I know. Ain't much to do but vote and make sure others you know vote.

I never thought this would be easy.

[TheDonkey]

22. Don't worry, it's natural. I felt the same way in the primaries

when I supported Kerry.

It just seemed like everything was anti-Kerry or mocking Kerry. He was way down in all the important polls (Iowa & NH) and didn't seem to be making splashes.

... we know what happened after that.

Just keep doing what your doing, and wait for this October it'll get better, then worse, and then Nov. 2nd and hopefully it'll be jubilant!

[Bake]

25. Were Dems saying "don't worry" when Dukakis got slaughtered???

Just asking.

Is it asking too much for our guys to get out there and FIGHT??? SLING SOME FUCKING MUD?? That's what sticks these days.

Cheney said "Vote for us or you're gonna die." Why?? Because HE COULD!! We have no choice but to get down in the slime and fight those bastards. And so far, we're not doing it.

If we don't fight fire with bigger fire, we lose. Plain and simple. And I'm sick and fucking tired of losing to these evil shits.

Bake