[Paradox]

Right now, its rope-a-dope time.

[Charlotte Corday]

There is defensiveness on Iraq. I for one would have liked to see a much more assertive stance regarding the Richard Clarke accusations and the concoctions related to Abu Gharib. Something like, "Hey, it's war. Call us back if you think we're sawing anyone's heads off, OK?"

[susiek]

The Republicans I know who are worried over the election don't feel that way because they think Bush is doing anything wrong or isn't presenting a good message. They worry because the demoncrats are so vicious, so loud, so filled with hate this time around and it looks like many of the possible voters who don't pay close attention and truly understand the issues are only picking up on the constant anti-Bush messages out there. At this point, I don't share that worry. There is still time for Bush to continue getting his message out, time for Kerry to continue to show what a pandering, condescending, pessimistic wacko he is, and time for regular Americans to realize that what they're hearing from the media and Hollywood shouldn't dictate how they vote. But maybe I have too much faith in my fellow countrymen.

[Senator_Blutarski]

Timing is everything. Watching the pools right now is a waste of time. There will be at least 2 or 3 major "surprises" that will erupt between now and election day. How each side handles those events will go a long way toward determining the outcome of the election.

Peaking too early is also a problem. Karl Rove wants the conservative faithful worried and motivated in November. Nothing motivates me more than the fear that John Kerry might be President.

Finally, the debates will be a major influence on the election. From what I have seen, Kerry has a hard time uttering a coherent sentence. He is has no real grasp of issues and relies solely on one sentence talking points (empty suit). He is lost and incoherent when he has to vary from his script.

[spodefly]

Any worries I have are based on the (I believe) unprecedented volume of attacks from the "main stream" press, Hollywood, and traitors within government -- The books written by Clarke, Wilson, et al., the mockumentaries, the loud-mouths in Hollywood ... I know such things have always happened, but it seems absurdely out of proportion this time around.

Of course, all that noise could have the opposite than intended effect

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

The Note ^ | July 16, 2004 | ABC News

'Nuff said - no credibility