This is why Kerry was considering not accepting the nomination in Boston

[WilliamPitt]

The main reason not to accept the nod in Boston was this month-long gulf of spending difference between the campaign. Kerry accepts the nod, and has to go by the post-nomination spending rules. Bush's acceptance is a month away, so he gets this 30-day free-swinging period. The Kerry guys were worried about this exact period of time, which was why the idea got floated. Ultimately, of course, the negatives outweighed the positives.

This is why I think they definitely saw this crap coming. They knew well before the convention that this period of time would involve a savage attack. They've been preparing for it. Clearly, they're handling it with a sharp eye. Bush's spending advantage ends Monday.

That's what is called weathering the storm.

[Pirate Smile]

1. It will be interesting to see how much KE spent out of his money

by Monday.

[MissB]

2. I think he handled it well

I actually have way more confidence in him after just this week.

[Nite Owl]

3. Will can * back out

of accepting the public money and keep up his fundraising at this point? I was wondering if all the talk from them about our perceived spending advantage with the 527's is all just to give them this out.

[WilliamPitt]

4. You mean not accept the nomination?

If the Lord of Hosts descended in a fiery chariot and denounced Bush from atop Mount Ararat, Bush would still accept the nomination.

[MissB]

5. The imagery was fantastic. Thanks. (nt)

[Nite Owl]

12. No Will though we all pray to

every god in the universe that is going to happen. I mean the public funding, the what is it $79 mill? Can he back out of that and not be limited by funds as we will be because Kerry accepted them.

[cally]

15. Not Will, but * may not accept the public funding

Kerry has asked that he not be tied to public funding if the mad cowboy backs out. Everyone expects * to accept public funding.

Back to the main point of the thread:

I agree that Kerry weathered the storm. All of us who pay attention to this stuff were worried about how our nominee would fare under the attacks. Kerry did well and fought back. Let the games begin when it's a more even playing field.

[JPJones]

6. Nah, they were still caught flat-footed by the SBV

They just wanted to stay on the air in August, which makes sense.

If they saw it coming, they would have prepped the DNC.

[fishnfla]

7. My weather eye sees more storm clouds coming

the campaign better not get caught out in the rain chasing the ghosts of VN

and start shoring up for the next storm: Kerry's voting record.

[JPJones]

8. Someone posted a link that Kerry voted on over 90% of votes

in the years leading up to 2003. That's all you have to say really.

Then you have to educate the public on how the Senate works - something like, GWB thinks you weren't paying attention in your high school government class. Or else run Schoolhouse Rock videos as campaign ads.

[Cha]

9. "Weathering the storm"...absolutely!

That's how you weather it..you're prepared for every seeming contingency. And I might add...Expect the unexpected.

The Storm will be over soon and we can all come out of our shelters.

It's been like a cat 5!

[WilliamPitt]

10. The storm won't be over until January 20, 2005

but the spending gap will close in a week.

[Cha]

13. Right!

[regnaD kciN]

11. "Weathering the storm"...?

We'll see how well the campaign weathered the storm when the polls come out. If, as some are predicting, they will have gone from tied or a slight Kerry lead to Bush in front by 10%, then a more fitting analogy would be the campaign limping for home with its mast gone and taking on water from a hole in the side.

:-(

[blue neen]

14. I'm glad that you put this into perspective.

It's been one hell of a storm, but I think Kerry is really showing what he's made of now.