Kerry’s Dilemma Or, how to lose an election

National Review Online ^ | October 22, 2004 | Victor Davis Hanson

[kcar]

I thought John Kerry clearly won the first debate, lost the second, and did worse in the third. Most Americans, however, apparently disagreed, since many polls showed that respondents thought Kerry won all three. We hear of mayhem daily in Iraq; news on the economic front is mixed; and an entire host of surrogates has defamed George Bush in a manner not seen in decades during a political campaign. Why, then, does Kerry gain little traction, trail in most polls, and perhaps even start to slip further? After all, he is a hard campaigner, has a razor-sharp memory, speaks well, looks statesmanlike at times, raises lots of money, and has a mobilized base working hard for his election.

[kcar]

Well I excerpted the second paragraph rather than the first. Sorry all.

[etradervic]

[RightthinkinAmerican]

Because he is a sack of monkey sh!t?

[Rocko]

Hanson hits all the cylinders!

[facedown]

Most Americans, however, apparently disagreed, since many polls showed that respondents thought Kerry won all three.

Hanson had it right but the polls were spammed by the DNC.

[Thebaddog]

I don't want to feel confident at this point, but Hanson is calling the play as I feel it is turning.

Go W!

[kcar]

Yes six reasons are well-put, and his optimism is reassuring.

[armymarinemom]

[paul51]

Why, then, does Kerry gain little traction, trail in most polls, and perhaps even start to slip further?

Because he is a sack of monkey sh!t?

Bingo. Next question?

[islander-11]

Victor Davis Hanson - once again, right on the money.

[Don Corleone]

Why, then, does Kerry gain little traction, trail in most polls, and perhaps even start to slip further?

Because he is a PHONEY!

[FairOpinion]

There is no rule to excerpt the first paragraph.

I, personally, like to excerpt a few lines and paragraphs that convey the points, picking them anywhere from the beginning, middle or end of the article, or all of the above, a line here, a line there.

I find that sometimes that is the best way to convey the message of the article.

[FairOpinion]

"Putin wants Bush, while Arafat prefers Kerry — and that is all we need to know."

Exactly!

[Terriergal]

After all, he is a hard campaigner, has a razor-sharp memory

BWAAAAAAHAHAHA!

He can't even remember what his position from the day before.

[Terriergal]

After all, he is a hard campaigner, has a razor-sharp memory

BWAAAAAAHAHAHA!

He can't even remember his position from the day before.

[FairOpinion]

He is giving some pretty good reasons!

[Gucho]

"Kerry’s Dilemma Or, how to lose an election"

KERRY HAS NO RIGHT TO BE RUNNING FOR POTUS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE SHOULD BE DOING TIME IN PRISON (OR THE STOCKADE).

[etradervic]

Hanson is a rising star. But he is wrong about one thing. When the Dems lose, they will not acknowledge the folly of their ways. They will blame GOP "dirty tricks."

[mcar]

Because he is a PHONEY!

His photo opportunities that showcase hunting vests or windsurfing look forced, and they lack the natural ease of George Bush on the stump, twanging with his sleeves rolled up.

[CyberAnt]

You are correct.

What Hansen didn't know was that FR was not voting - on purpose. When the polls reached 70-30 for Kerry - many pundits just threw them away. However, the next day the MSM presented the polls as about 50-50 with Kerry having a slight edge - which was what they wanted the public to believe.

It doesn't matter what deceptions they try - the dems have already deceived themselves into believing Kerry won - but the people of America know who won. That's what Hansen doesn't get.

Hansen is also wrong - Kerry does not have an mobilized base working for him - he has his wife's or Hillary's 527 organizations (37-39% of the dem base) - and Kerry does not have a "razor sharp mind" - if he did - he would never flip-flop every hour on the same issue.

[libs_kma]

Oh, beleive it folks. Kerrys momentum is gaining BIGTIME.
By next weekend, his momentum slide may take him into the 39% - 38% category!!

[M-cubed]

Because he's a phony!!!!..any one that doesnt see that should be buying chances on the Brooklyn Bridge!....100 chances for a $1...mail (cash only) to Po box 333...all respondents will receive a $110 cash bonus just for entering.....send bank and checking account # along with the $1 to expedite pay off (all family members are eligible...enter as many times a u wish)...

[Ronin]

I am not confident at all. Things look good from where we sit now, but I am sure the DemonCRAPS have not played their last card yet.

If I had to guess, I would say that they are hoping that electorial fraud and outright voter intimidation will give them the edge they need in the battleground states where their strumtruppen are the most radical, but one thing's sure.

It ain't over yet and it is not yet time to be popping any champagne corks.

[CyberAnt]

"the 39% - 38% category"

That's just about where he ought to be.

The Bush-haters register at 37-39% of the dem party.

[Fruitbat]

Thus while Kerry does well in debates, he in some sense does not do well, since Americans feel he is either their smug professor or cranky grandfather, peeved that he had to descend from Olympus to impart knowledge to the less gifted.

LMAO...

[facedown]

...and Kerry does not have a "razor sharp mind"...

Agreed. He'd be bleeding from his eyes and ears by now.

[bucephalus]

Victor Davis Hanson - once again, right on the money.

You're right. This guy is a real no-nonsense, red-meat conservative. The best one to come along in years. His books about ancient Greece are fine, too.

[Thebaddog]

The reason for my cautious optimism is that the RCP map has Iowa for Bush. If that holds up, there should be more white states going red than blue.