I think Tennessee is lost.

[Wcross]

Things I have noticed in the Nashville area, a 3/1 ratio of bush signs over Kerry/Edwards. I work at a union factory and have noticed bush shirts and stickers but very few if any Kerry supporters doing the same. The message is not getting to the people and unless more attention is paid to Tennessee we will lose it in November.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i never figured TN being in play... AZ now, that's a fight we're still

fighting

[gofordean]

8. Don't give up on TN

Unemployment is swaying alot of folks in the populous cities. Chattanooga, Knoxville, and especially Memphis.

All these signs displayed in Nashville reflect Bushco's realization that TN's in play.

[DaveinMD]

2. stickers and signs

mean absolutely nothing. I've won campaigns where we lost the sign war and lost campaigns where we won the sign war.

[WI_DEM]

7. True

McGovern had more signs than Nixon for instance. Crowds also don't necessarily mean that things are going well. For instance, both McGovern and Mondale have said what got them thru the day when poll after poll was coming out showing them losing badly was that they were getting large and enthusiastic crowds. Not that it isn't helpful to have large and enthusiastic crowds but things have to taken in perspective.

[Wcross]

14. What about the guys on the factory floor?

I work for Bridgestone/Firestone at a unionized plant. There is obvious support for bush among the USWA workers. Last election there was not a whiff of it. I can't discuss politics at work because of my position but it worries me.

[DuaneBidoux]

17. Have you ever asked one of these guys in a polite way WHY

in the hell they would support a guy who takes away their overtime and as far as he is concerned would just as soon send their jobs abroad? Even if I didn't intend to try and change anyone's mind I am just baffled at how Dems have so badly communicated their message to folks in whose obvious interest it is to have a Dem.

[Doosh]

3. It was always wishful thinking

[gmoney]

4. May be more a matter of campaign organization

the local Kerry campaign JUST got yard signs in the last week or two, so maybe the Bush Cheney people just have their sign purchasing shit together a little better.

I put up my Kerry sign Thursday, and one went up across the street today! I think he might have been waiting for someone else to break the ice. (No B/C signs yet)

[DaveinMD]

5. again

signs and stickers really mean nothing.

[PassingFair]

19. Bushit! I have 3 words for you...VIsibility, Visibility, Visibility

Signs and stickers are always important. In THIS campaign, they are EVERYTHING. With the media almost 100% against us, dems and thinking independents are being tricked into thinking that we are in the minority. Visibility is what we most need. LOOK at pictures of Kerry rallies around the country. We are turning out in droves, but none of it makes it to the mainstream media. Bumperstickers and yard signs are a sure sign that WE ARE NOT ALONE. They force people to use their senses, to begin to see beyond the veil of conservatism spun by these usurpers and their media toadies.

I recently heard a statistic (I can't claim to back it up...) that a prominently displayed bumpersticker was worth as much as a $500.00 donation, towards effectively "getting out the message".

I know from my own observations as a salesdog, that I consciously tally the "bumpersticker war" numbers. It makes me feel GREAT to SEE others are on my side.

Three weeks ago, during the course of my daily travels, I stumbled into a local Bush/Cheney field office. Women were directing traffic, using radio phones, checking clipboards, and getting people provisioned with signs and stickers. The cars were pulling in, packing up, and pulling out.

By contrast, when I went to my local Kerry/Edwards office, getting stickers was like pulling teeth, and I'm a precinct delegate! They wanted me to phone bank. Now, phone banking is important, but they actually said that I shouldn't walk my precinct! That they had a "New Direction".

Placards for yard signs were there, but no one was stapling them together. While I waited to talk to someone in charge, two people were TURNED AWAY because the signs weren't ready to sink. This is a big mistake, and it appears to be campaign driven.

Thank you for this opportunity to vent.

[DaveinMD]

21. I've worked on a lot of campaigns

and I can tell you that this stuff does not persuade voters. A lot of it is a waste of money. It is all stuff to make the activists feel better.

It is much more important in downballot races where every dollar is spent to establish name recognition. That's not an issue in a presidential race.

[PassingFair]

22. It is in THIS one, pal.

[DaveinMD]

29. I'll agree

to disagree. We're on the same side.

[southlandshari]

23. "new direction"

I have signed up to help with voter registration in my area with two different groups (county Democratic Party chapter and the local League of Women Voters). While I'm willing to do anything to help, working a phone bank is NOT at the top of my list. I am ready to put on my most comfortable shoes and pound the pavement to get people interested in voting this year.

Any "new direction" these local Kerry folks were talking about would do well to emulate the one thing that history has taught us time and time again will move people to action...personal contact. I will very quickly cut off a call from a stranger who calls me to discuss voter registration or a particular candidate. But I will give anyone willing to come where I am, knock on my door, and shake my hand a few minutes of my time to hear them out. I have voted for candidates in local elections based largely on bothered to come out and ask for my vote (when stances on the issues differed little between candidates).

Anyone who thinks that "walking your community" isn't an effective strategy is sadly misinformed. It is a lot easier to forget (or ignore) a phone call or email - they are a dime a dozen. Meeting someone face to face, someone who has a real name and face and personality, will stick with people a lot longer!

[ISUGRADIA]

30. I think you have many valid points

I'd argue about the overall effect yardsigns have in bringing more people to vote for a candidate, but I think they play an important role in reving up supporters who place them in their yards. They give supporters a feeling of buy-in to the candidate, of being a part of the campaign. Plus, in a contest where millions are being spent on 30 second ads, they are a real cheap publicy device.

I don't know why the Kerry campaign seems to be so stingy with them. It just pisses people off. It seems that they need to get a profit on them charging $5 or $10. Charge $2 and break even if you must. Same thing with pins and buttons. A small cost and many people like them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. If I lived in TN

I wouldn't be discouraged. I'd make sure that everyone I knew went to vote Kerry and for other Democratic candidates on the ticket. Often the Repukes win only because Democrats give up and don't vote.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

11. Because the Brown Shirts don't hesitate to vandalize,

harass or belittle anyone who has a Kerry/Edward sticker, it doesn't surprise me that fewer people are showing their voting preference in their yard, on their vehicle, etc. It is terrible that in a free society some people are opting not to display their choice of candidate without fear of getting harmed in some way. People are losing their jobs, their safety, their property to these thugs. The Bushanistas play hardball with anyone who doesn't drink the Kool Aid, salute the dictator and goose step in line. Think a lot of people are choosing not to confront the Nazi's head on - they'll do their talking in the voting booth on Nov. 2nd.

I don't display anything in my yard or on my car - but I wear my t-shirts and sweatshirts proudly and just dare anyone to confront me face-to-face for a discussion. That is the worst thing about Rove and Brown Shirts - they are just little chicken shit cockroaches - do they "best" work behind the scenes and in the dark.

[RevCheesehead]

9. My mom just spoke to someone in Memphis

who works for a drug company. As she joked with the person, she made a comment about rising cost of healthcare & meds, and said "is this medicine so expensive because of Bush?" The woman laughed, and said "that was probably so" and told mom that she was looking forward to things changing in the near future.

My mom: 76 years old, and learning to be more assertive. I love her!

[baltodemvet]

10. What are you going to do about that?

Fighht back!

[IndianaGreen]

12. Signs and posters are not evidence of support

only evidence that someone has been busy posting campaign signs.

According to RealClear Politics that averages all the polls, Kerry is leading Bush 49.6 to 47.7 in Tennessee.

[jfalchion]

13. no * stickers in NY

I have seen no * bumperstickers in the Buffalo area. There are a few but not many Kerry stickers.

On my street during election time, there are three houses that always have Dem signs. This year, only mine had one. When I asked the people why not, they said that they hadn't gotten around to it. I gave them signs and now the street is back to normal.

There are no * signs at all!


:kick:

[dennis4868]

15. If Gore lost that state.....

i dont know how Kerry from Mass. can win that state...

[redstateblues]

28. They Made A Huge Effort To Beat Gore Here-He Wasn't Popular

in TN. During his time in Washington he lost touch with the electorate here. Phil Bredesen, a moderate Dem(from Mass) won the Governor's race last year by getting Rs to cross over. Don't get down.

[DuaneBidoux]

16. Have you noticed how many with B/C stickers also have a fish or

some other Christian symbol. I believe that one advantage the other side has is the local evangelical meeting place for distributing their bumper stickers, etc.

I'm in suburban Houston, the heart of shrub's territory and there are actually some Kerry/Edwards yard signs, even in quite well off neighborhoods. I don't remember any Gore signs down here. I'm not sure it means much more than the fact that the base simply hates the crap out of this idiot. That will not be enough however. I think one mistake Dems have made is assuming that just because we see what an idiot this guy is, everyone else will understand the thousands of detailed ways this man has proved what a loser he is.

[Nicholas_J]

18. Strangely Enough

Here In Florida I see more Kerry/Edwards signs in a proportion that I have never seen for a Democratic Candidate ever. I live in an area that is 2 to 1 Republican, yet I have been totally stunned by the number of Kerry/Edwards signs all over this place. This is one of the counties in which the largest amount of democratic votes were thrown out (37,000) and a lot of the people who were turned away are furious this time around.

Kerry is starting his next tour of Florida in this city, which is an indication of where the winds may be blowing in this area and this state. This area has a heavy number of National Guardsmen a Naval Station and a Naval Air Base.

[DesEtoiles]

20. Start distributing flyers from this site: www.kerrysupport.com

They are targeted by topic.

[okieinpain]

24. kerry supporters are afraid of putting out stickers. repugs will destroy

property.

[redstateblues]

27. I'm Not Afraid-Got A Yard Sign In A Heavy R Area

[Carolinian]

25. What is your local Democratic office doing to spread the message?

[redstateblues]

26. That's Bullshit-There Are Many More K/E stickers Than Gore

stickers four years ago. The Bushbots are starting to spread their signs out more. There was a fervor among Rs to beat Gore in 2000, it's not like that this year.