Apparently, John Kerry cannot read...

[UncleSam]

Ah, but do it he did. Then defended doing it. Only after a fair amount of arm twisting from his own party did he come up with a weak "sorry, hey, I was just kiddin."

 

[CSpindizzy]

How do you gather he said he was just kidding? Had he added "like Bush" at the end of that sentence, this would be a non-story. The sad part of this is that the GOP has to wait for the Dems to slip up to hit back. When you depend on the other side to fall down to win numbers back, it's a clear sign you have nothing going for you.

 

[volinbham]

How do you gather he said he was just kidding? Had he added "like Bush" at the end of that sentence, this would be a non-story. The sad part of this is that the GOP has to wait for the Dems to slip up to hit back. When you depend on the other side to fall down to win numbers back, it's a clear sign you have nothing going for you.

couldn't this be said of the dem side too? Neither side has much going but preys on dogging out the other side.

 

[volinbham]

 

[CSpindizzy]

But when it comes primarily from the party in charge, this is much more damning. Where did all of that political capital from 2004 go? Yes. This does come from the Dems but they will try a little of everything to get numbers to move their way. When the party in charge has nothing positive to boast or brag over to give high numbers for reelection and instead depends on failures from the other side, it speaks volumes about where this majority actually stands.

 

[volinbham]

But when it comes primarily from the party in charge, this is much more damning. Where did all of that political capital from 2004 go? Yes. This does come from the Dems but they will try a little of everything to get numbers to move their way. When the party in charge has nothing positive to boast or brag over to give high numbers for reelection and instead depends on failures from the other side, it speaks volumes about where this majority actually stands.

Actually, they could talk about the economy. By virtually every metric it is as good as ever (except for the deficit). For some reason however, the reporting of it has a negative tone.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Well the numbers look good but most people don't feel those results. And Congress is not an overwhelming power to credit for this either.

 

[volinbham]

Well the numbers look good but most people don't feel those results. And Congress is not an overwhelming power to credit for this either.

I'm not sure they aren't feeling them in reality. Two things might give the perception - gas prices (now down) and reporting that others are feeling it.


I've seen polling data shows people are doing well themselves but worry that others aren't doing well.

I agree that Congress doesn't play a large roll in shaping the economic swings other - particularly when they don't produce much economic-based legislation. The tax cuts have had a positive effect though.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Keep in mind that polling companies poll registered voters. Most poll those who are considered 'active' voters which are those who vote in what is considered a consistent manner. Most people who are either negatively affected or not affected much at all would not fall into this category of those being polled. So any polls on the economy are severely weighted on the side of those who would in theory benefit the most.

 

[volinbham]

That would be true in any polling time.

What I'm getting at is that people saying they don't feel like the economy is good in polls doesn't mean the economy isn't good. Gas prices are a very visible sign - high gas prices make people feel like things are worse than they are. Add to that, dems talking down the economy (as would any opponent during election time) and the general negative - neutral reporting on the economy and people have a perception that the economy is worse than it actually is.

However, perceptions are reality when it comes to decision making so the real condition of the economy is essentially a moot point.

 

[CSpindizzy]

People vote on their own situation. They vote on the short term rather than the long term. If they feel there is a risk of their kid going to Iraq, their job being sent overseas, or their taxes being raised, they will immediately respond to that.

I think the reason that Iraq is the top issue is that you see more coverage of violence continuing and growing and more and more people have friends or family coming back with injuries, etc. and seeing little being accomplished for that. We're a cost benefit people. If the benefits are low or non-existent and the costs are high, then the voter will decide to dump the status quo.