Okay People, Take A Deep Breath and Hear Me Out for A Moment

[Justice]

This election is very close, very tight. It will essentially be decided by a small number of undecided voters. Never in history has the polling been so tight so early. We are seeing "October" polling numbers in June/July.

Yes, our job as Democrats is to keep our base motivated to work hard and turn out on election day. That job has been made much easier because of the extreme positions of the Bush administration.

So, at this convention, Kerry and Edwards are focused on reaching those small group of undecided voters. And you know what -- 65% of undecided voters are WOMEN. At this convention, we are reaching out to the undecideds. So Teresa's speech last night was directed toward those women who are considering who to vote for. It is as much about liking Teresa as liking John. As much about liking Elizabeth as liking John. So Teresa with her sons was a magical moment.

The republicans have a much tougher job at the RNC. They have to appeal to their base AND reach out to this group of undecideds. Their base is not motivated, their base is divided. They have a tightrope to walk. A frigging tightrope.

All I ask is that you keep this in mind when posting your comments. I think Teresa accomplished last night exactly what she wanted to accomplish. I think she was brillant.

[LeinesRed]

1. Agree!

Even though the speech wasn't prime time, the "sound bites" were effective! They have been replayed all morning!

[mzmolly]

2. The grown ups and authentic lefties will keep this in mind.

As for the freeps and pissants, :shrug:

[wtmusic]

3. agree

I wish others would stop posting elaborate mathematical analyses of the impending "Kerry landslide".

Those have "doom" written all over them and just serve to make everyone lazy.

[lottie244]

4. I think she was brilliant also, but please don't overlook the "unlikely"

voters who tend to be minorities. We must give them a reason not only to register but to come out and vote.

[democratreformed]

8. There was touching and rousing

tribute to Fannie Lou Hammer yesterday. My daughter and I had often wondered about who she was. In our trips to MS to see my husband, who was working there at the time, we passed through her hometown often and saw the proud sign "Home of Fannie Lou Hammer". I did research on her and found out that she led a "right to vote" movement for African Americans in MS. Of course, that's just a tiny piece of what that great lady did. The tribute to her yesterday ended with a rousing speech on diversity within the Democratic party. I had tears in my eyes several times.

[truthspeaker]

5. This is a good response to the ONE negative post about Teresa H-K in GD

That's right, one negative post. One.

But I'm glad your asking the authors of hundreds of positive posts about her to hear you out, so you can tell them what they already know.

[Wickerman]

6. Excellent post

thanks!

[Sparrow]

7. why believe poll numbers?

I doubt that many women would vote for Bush.

[oldcoot]

17. No, but they might stay home

According to the "experts," single women are less likely to vote than other people because neither party really reaches out to them. Considering that the Democratic Party is the political party that best represents the interests of single women, the Democrats must reach out to these women and get them to the polls.

[Robbien]

9. And the right wing knows how well she did, that is why they

are trying so hard to attack her.

She appeared very likable.

[realFedUp]

10. Tereza's speech was the only one that addressed women specifically

Let's hear this candidate talk about releasing UN
population funding as soon as he gets in.

Considering Dems want women's votes....they better
start talking to women. The testosterone climate in
this country is discouraging at best and bad for
our economic lives at the worst.

[KurtNYC]

11. Agree on women being key but polls are not especially tight

Kerry leads consistently in most of them and Bush hasn't been ahead in one since mid May and hasn't been significantly ahead since January. One of the big lies of the moment is that this is a tight race. The simple math is that Bush lost in 2000 which had very high turnout. This time even less people will vote for Bush.

More at http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/polls/usatodaypolls.htm

Be sure to scroll down to "registered voters" since "likely" is their weighting system (which helps Bush as you will see).

[tnlefty]

12. But, but..."W is for Women". I remember seeing quite a few of those

bumperstickers in '99-'00 and I always wanted to puke when I saw them!

I doubt that many of the target audience were watching Mrs. Kerry although I hope that I'm wrong. I just encounter too many women who think the stepford Laura is just great!

[goju]

13. Can I ask?

I didnt see any of the coverage last night. What is the buzz about?

My wife loves Teresa. She says she has a thing about her. I have no idea what that thing is but do other women see it in her? I like her accent, its kind of charming in a way. Its going to be great to have someone from abroad represent us as first lady.

[oldcoot]

18. You might be able to see a video of her speech

Try http://www.cspan.org/ .

[goju]

19. thank you!

[lumpy]

14. Anyone know who is slated to speak

at the Repub convention? Asscroft? Powell? Rice? Anyone who might inspire the undecided?

[leesa]

15. It's not a tight race. That's just Propaganda by the RW media

They are going to pretend it's close so that whatever is left of their plan to steal the elections can be implemented.

[rock]

16. The election is not close

The media, of course, will sell it as a horse race. It's their product! But in fact it's a thoroughbred versus a chimp. Now with that said, I agree with your conclusions.

[democrat_patriot]

20. Keep it simple, ......

It seems everytime a speech is made, we rush to anlyze it's effectiveness, and how will play to a certain voter block.

Stick to the basics folks:

1. Bush WAS AWOL.

2. The economy is not that great.

3. Enron.

4. Halliburton.

5. Iraq is a mess.

6. The 7 minutes (or 25+).

7. Valerie Plame.

8. The rich got all the tax cuts.

9. Are you better off now than 4 years ago?

Let's not get caught up in the 3rd sentences of so and so's speech.

We need to stay focused - 98 days??

[TexasSissy]

21. I agree!