Free Republic

TO:  Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign LeadershipFM:  Matthew Dowd       Chief StrategistRE:  The Democratic convention and its       effect on the presidential race John Kerry becomes the first presidential candidate since 1972 to receive a negative bounce from his convention.  Kerry’s performance in Gallup's post-convention poll is even worse than George McGovern’s in 1972, making it the worst convention bounce in Gallup’s history of presidential campaign polling.  "An examination of Gallup polls in presidential elections since 1976 reveals that a challenger's vice presidential selection and nominating convention can have a dramatic (if often short-lived) effect on the head-to-head poll numbers.  In fact, historical analysis suggests John Kerry should...

IF IT’S SUNDAY, IT’S MISLEAD THE PRESSKerry And Edwards Continue Their Extreme Makeover On The Sunday Shows________________________________________________KERRY-EDWARDS TOUT INTEL EXPERIENCE, BUT FAILTO MENTION THEY DIDN’T SHOW UP FOR WORKKerry-Edwards Ticket Tours Their Experience On Senate Intelligence Committee.  SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: “As you know, for many years, John served on the Intelligence Committee. I’m on the Intelligence Committee now.”  (Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday,” 8/1/04)But Kerry And Edwards Didn’t Show Up For Work On Committee:ü      While On Committee, Kerry Missed 38 Of 49 Intelligence Committee Hearings.  During John Kerry's eight years of service on the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence, there...

New York Post: John Kerry "Doesn't Get It" When it Comes to the War on Terror. "Give John Forbes Kerry credit for being honest as he accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president last night. Because in his 55 minutes at the mike, he was truthful about how he'd fight the War on Terror. He won't. 'The United States never goes to war because we want to,' Kerry said. 'We only go to war because we have to.' At best, this is a gross calumny: President Bush never 'wanted' war — and it is repugnant even to hint otherwise. At...

LEFT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOORKerry's Time As Lieutenant Governor Under Mike Dukakis Conspicuously Absent From Biographical Video____________________________________Not Even Spielberg's Magic Can Erase Kerry's Time As Lt. Governor Under Dukakis From History             

"It's disappointing that John Kerry's frank talk stopped with a discussion of his complexities and failed to include an explanation of his inconsistencies and contradictions on the central front in the War on Terror. John Kerry missed an opportunity to help the American people understand his vote for the war in Iraq based on the same intelligence that the President viewed, his description of himself as an anti-war candidate and his subsequent vote against troops on the front lines. He's right, America can do better."- Campaign Chairman Marc Racicot Even before John Kerry has spoken, he is working to...

Even before John Kerry has spoken, he is working to distort his own record and the President's. He is engaged in an extreme makeover of his out of the mainstream record. My fellow Americans, this is the most important election of our lifetime. The stakes are high. We are a nation at war -- a global war on terror against an enemy unlike any we have ever known before. And here at home, wages are falling, health care costs are rising, and our great middle class is shrinking. People are working weekends; they're working two jobs, three jobs, and...

Boston- Below is a transcript of today’s 10:30 a.m. Republican press conference. (Due to technical difficulties, the transcript starts during Lt. Gov. Healey’s remarks.) Transcript:LT. GOV. KERRY HEALEY (MA): ... the Democrats have misrepresented the President’s record just as they have tried to obscure the Senator’s record on so many important issues. In speech after speech we have heard nothing about Senator Kerry’s votes on the issues. We’ve heard nothing about his votes to raise taxes on social security that will hurt our elders. We’ve heard nothing about his votes to raise taxes on small businesses. We have heard nothing...

TO: Interested Parties FR: Marc Racicot, Chairman, Bush-Cheney '04 Ed Gillespie, Chairman, Republican National Committee DT: 7/29/04 RE: Preview of John Kerry's Acceptance Speech After 18 months on the campaign trail and more than $100 million in paid advertising, John Kerry's chief objective this evening will be to introduce himself to Americans. Again. We can expect John Kerry to deliver a well-crafted speech that pleases Democrats and attempts a pivot to more moderate rhetoric designed to appeal to independent voters. If his convention meets the historical standard for moving a challenger campaign in the polls, the Kerry-Edwards ticket will...

"We saw John Kerry's running mate tonight portray America as a nation in decline, but the American people know we are strong and overcoming the challenges of the past three years. John Kerry's extreme makeover of adding a smile to his pessimistic rhetoric cannot change his out of the mainstream record." -Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman The Facts On Health CareAll Seniors Will Be Guaranteed Access To Affordable Prescription Drug Coverage Under Medicare. In December 2003, President Bush signed into law legislation that will make Medicare prescription drug coverage available to 40 million seniors and people with disabilities. (Health Care...

John Edwards Claims John Kerry Is "Decisive. Strong." "John Edwards saluted John Kerry Wednesday night as a man tested a generation ago in the heat of battle, ready now to lead America in an age of terrorism. 'Decisive. Strong. Aren't those the traits you want in a commander in chief?' Edwards said at the Democratic National Convention." (David Espo, "Edwards Calls Kerry 'Decisive, Strong,' An Ideal Commander In Chief," The Associated Press, 7/28/04) Kerry Flip-Flopped On John EdwardsDuring Primary, Kerry Questioned Edwards' Lack Of Experience. (Nick Anderson, "Edwards' Track Record On Trade Has Lane Changes," Los Angeles Times, 2/19/04) Kerry:...

John Edwards: "Between Now And November - You, The American People - You Can Reject The Tired, Old, Hateful, Negative, Politics Of The Past." (John Edwards, Remarks As Prepared For Delivery, 7/28/04) February 2004: Kerry Campaign Advisor Stated "[E]verything Is On The Table. Everything." (Robin Toner, "G.O.P. Revives Line Of Attack Against Kerry," The New York Times, 2/5/04) Kerry Criticized President Bush’s Policies For Making America A "Target." "On the opening day of the convention that will make him the party's presidential nominee, Kerry underscored its theme that America can be both stronger at home and respected abroad. He criticized...

Dear FReeper,The extreme makeover of John Kerry continued last night in Boston.Centrist Democrats paraded across your television screen to praise the most liberal Senator in Washington and his running mate - the 4th most liberal member of the Senate.The Democrats are working hard to make Americans believe that these far-left politicians are actually mainstream.  Only you can ensure this doesn't happen.www.GeorgeWBush.com/JebBush/My brother is the President, and I am very proud of him.  But the truth is, I would be working just as hard for his re-election if he wasn't.Why?Because I believe he is the right person to lead.My brother believes that...

"There is neither strength nor wisdom in John Kerry's vacillation on the very serious issue of Iraq and the War on Terror.  John Kerry's positions have shifted with the political winds - a troubling sign for a candidate for President at a time when our nation faces unprecedented challenges at home and abroad.  President Bush has led with the clarity, purpose and strength that comes with the wisdom of a leader with deep convictions and principles and a clear vision for where he wants to lead this country over the next four years."- Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman Kerry's...

"Last Thursday we heard John Kerry assert that he will take responsibility for what is said at this convention, and tonight John Kerry's partner in the Senate and political mentor of 20 years attacked the President in a base and personal way without identifying one positive aspect of John Kerry's record or vision. This night exemplified the anger, pessimism and negativity of the Democratic Party." - Jim Dyke, RNC Spokesman John Kerry: "I'm Putting On This Convention, So Obviously I Care About The Tone And I'll Be Responsible." (Jill Lawrence and Martin Kasindorf, "Interview: On Iraq, 'The President Broke His...

DNC Convention Speeches Going Under Cosmetic Makeover: Kerry: "I'm Putting On This Convention, So Obviously I Care About The Tone And I'll Be Responsible." (Jill Lawrence And Martin Kasindorf, "Interview: On Iraq, 'The President Broke His Word,'" USA Today, 7/23/04) Kerry Speechwriting Team Sits In "Windowless Room" Rewriting DNC Convention Speeches Removing Hateful Language. "In a windowless room beneath the podium, a team of speechwriters is imposing John Kerry's will on the words of the other speakers at the Democratic National Convention. Their orders: Go easy on the Bush bashing. Each speech is read and re-read, heavily edited and rehearsed...

Rhetoric NARRATOR: "The Associated Press reports that John Kerry will try to keep voters focused on the most dismal economic data while fueling their anxieties about interest rates, health care premiums, tuition bills and other costs of living."CHYRON: "Kerry will try to keep voters focused on the most dismal economic data while fueling their anxieties about interest rates, health care premiums, tuition bills and other costs of living." The Associated Press, June 11, 2004 The Facts "Kerry Will Try To Keep Voters Focused On The Most Dismal Economic Data While Fueling Their Anxieties About Interest Rates, Health Care Premiums, Tuition...