The sad reality is that the 2008 election WILL BE VERY CLOSE.....

[Greenwood]

Folks can spin it this way and that and quote this poll or that, etc., etc. But, the reality is that the 2008 election will be close. Not happy about it but I am prepared for it. No cold blast of water on a cold winter morning for me in 2008.

I remember VIVIDLY the absolute terror I felt when Florida went back to Bush in 2000......I also remember my shock after the exit polls showed Kerry up big in 2004 only to be crushed as the evening wore on.

Never again will I go through that. I will fight for our candidate but it scares me that some seem to think it will be an easy waltz to the White House. It will not. It could go either way. Some don't want to hear that but, screw it, I speak what is in my heart and what I know to be the truth. No matter who our nominee is we are going to have ups and downs and everything in between. It is going to be a battle.

[pnwmom]

1. Welcome to DU, Greenwood. And you're right, it's already started --

with the plot to take the California votes. However we do nationally, it's probably going to be a squeaker in the electoral college.

[demnan]

2. I agree

Some people live in Democratic areas so they have a false sense of how things are out there in the middle and south in this country. Even where I live in a red-leaning area, the Republicans are far more passionate about their beliefs (I was nearly attacked last Saturday for asking for petition signatures) than the Democrats who may or may not vote or are indifferent or in many cases just too busy working several jobs to vote.

I'm afraid Mitt Romney will win this one. I think as the economy gets worse he will project himself as a former experienced business leader. People will be desperate for the old-style Republican type and will fall for it.

[Greenwood]

3. It's scary....

I come across well meaning democrats who are already saying it is over and "any Democrat" will beat the Republican.

I honestly shake my head in disbelief at this. Can we win? Yes. Can we lose? Again, yes.

This false sense of it being in the bag is dangerous. THAT scares me.

[Didereaux]

4. Completely accurate summary!!!!! well stated

[sniffa]

5. oh come, come now

if enough DUers whistle past the graveyard, it'll be fine.

[RDANGELO]

6. The presidential will be closer than the congressional

The cultural division within our society will inevitably be brought into the presidential election. The Republicans have become experts at hitting the tribalistic buttons. More people are identifying themselves as Democrats still by a good margin, and people want change. I expect the Dem presidential candidate to win by between 5 and 8 percent. The congressional could be up around twelve.

[harun]

9. I hope so

I think it will have a lot to do with the nominees. If they run Giuliani and we run a candidate that can get more of the rural vote, he could be crushed with a good campaign.

Makes me wonder... Which Dem candidate is polling the highest (in terms of R's and D's polled) in the rural areas? I would really like to know that.

[AndyTiedye]

11. Winning the Popular Vote by 5% is Otherwise Known as Losing (If Your're the Democrat)

I expect the Dem presidential candidate to win by between 5 and 8 percent.

[caseycoon]

7. Sad to say I think you're right...

Many of us have a false sense of security about the election. There are too many variables. Most of all, will we even have a remotely FAIR election. We're gonna have to fight for this one!
Welcome to DU! Good post, Greenwood. We need to be reminded of this.
:toast:

[CK_John]

8. Mitt and Lynne Cheney(VP) will make junkyard dogs seem friendly. n/t

[PlanetBev]

10. Bravely spoken, Greenwood

I offered a similar opinion three years ago, and was trashed by some on DU. I started to get a sinking feeling after the "Bandaid" stunt at the Republican National Convention and Kerry wanted to "stay above the fray".

A whole lot can happen in one year, and we must keep our wits about us. Work as hard as we can, but don't get suckered into feeling we've bagged '08. We will be fighting them on all fronts, like beating down a snake with a hoe. Don't forget that in my state, the pukes are trying to get an initiative on the ballot that will split the electoral votes. Sorry to invoke Karl Rove's name, but this his fingerprints all over it. Believe me, he resigned The White House so he could devote himself full tilt boogie into stealing the election.:grr:

[Think82]

12. That's why we sould nominate Biden. by far the best GE candidate.

[mmonk]

13. I think so too and I think I know why.

[AndyTiedye]

14. Polls Say People Prefer "A Democrat" For President by Over 20 Points BUT…

…none of our actual candidates beat any of their actual candidates by anything close to that.

Seems like quite a few people who say they want a Democrat to be President change their minds when they look at our candidates.

[polichick]

15. Well, there are a lot of unknowns - but one thing is for certain:

The Republicans will do everything possible to steal yet another election ~ which means we have to win by as large a margin as possible.

[K Gardner]

16. My sentiments exactly..

Nothing is in the bag. As we've seen, it really has nothing to do with voting.

And they aren't going to go quietly, or easily, into that dark night.. expect anything.

I'm honestly scared already simply because "they" aren't launching more attacks our way, almost like they don't feel they need to, that they know something we don't know. Paranoid? Yes, and for good reason. Welcome to DU !

[BenDavid]

17. I do not see the elections in 08 as close. For one reason

the religious right will have to come to terms with their beliefs and whether are not they will be considered hypocrites if they support Rudy. You cannot on one hand castigate the Dems for being pro choice and saying it is against all the moral teachings of Jesus, and then on the other hand go out and vote for a pro choice republican candidate. HYPOCRITES.....But then again most of the right wing zealots have never had a problem with doing and saying one thing and doing and saying something else. The assumption is they will be forgiven...uh huh but if one knowingly does something wrong like voting for a pro choice candidate and standing up on sunday mornings and saying all that vote for a pro choice candidate is destined for hell and then goes out and votes for Rudy....uh huh Woe unto you...

Send fruit baskets.

Ben David