So how do the Dems build on the momentum?

[Onlooker]

Despite a great convention, we face some big obstacles:

- Fox, MSNBC, and others will continue to trivialize Kerry and glorify Bush
- The greediest 2%, for whom Kerry wants to raise taxes, can try to create the illusion that the economy is recovering
- The Religious Wrong and the loudmouth right (Drudge, Limbaugh, O'Reilly) will spew their nonsense to all the people who go to sleep or wake up listening to talk radio
- Karl Rove can pull the strings to orchestrate crises and other events at which Bush can look presidential
- Ralph Nader will continue his backdoor campaign to re-elect Bush
- Diebold and Jeb Bush will team up to fix the election in Florida

On the other hand, we have really smart candidates, a united Democratic Party, a well-funded party, a good message, an opponent who makes many mistakes, and above all the direct or indirect support well-funded progressive organizations and of tens of thousands of activists. But, will it be anough?

How do we blunt the lies, manipulation, and corruption of the Republican leadershp and their allies?

[Pepperbelly]

1. I think Kerry's planning on pulling his spending until the gopcon.

Bush has another month to raise money that Kerry does not have. So if Kerry spends ad money during that month, it will put Bush that much ahead financially when he, too, gets the $75 million limit that goes with the public funding of the campaign.

That could work out either way for Kerry and what it will depend on is how lucky Bush is over that month. If we continue to see revelations of Bush fuck-ups during the period, Kerry, who came across as very solid from the DEMCON is a suitable replacement for Bush and Kerry snowballs.

Or, if Bush gets lucky and the revelations stop or condition improve, either generally or in specific instances, he eats into Kerry's lead.

Either way, I do not believe that the next month is going to be crucial unless the factual situation in the world changes one way or the other.