1. Despite the "happy face" we'll see at the GOP convention in 10 days, GOP strategists are acknowledging that
Bush is increasingly courting his base, to the exclusion of reaching out to any Democrats, independents or others who may not be a Bush Gold Club Member:
Quote:
"The Bush campaign believes that there are functionally no swing voters, that campaigns are about the mobilization of your base and expanding the turnout of your base," said a veteran GOP operative not working for the president's campaign.
The president's emphasis on stoking the Republican base is evident in his campaign's advertising strategy: Bush has heavily outspent Kerry in about 10 media markets in safely Republican areas across the country, and he is making large ad purchases on cable television networks that reach core GOP constituencies.
"From a Bush standpoint, it appears they want to turn out their people first, and worry about the undecided second or last," said Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNSMI/Campaign Media Analysis Group, a firm that tracks advertising spending for The Times.
And, although his campaign says Bush is spending at least as much time in contested communities as Kerry, some analysts in both parties say that an unusual number of the president's campaign appearances have been in places already safely in his corner, from Traverse City, Mich., to Pensacola, Fla.
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2. We're treated to the knowledge, a good week in advance, that any protests -- any at all -- that may take place in NY?
Kerry's fault. It means, obviously, that Kerry did it, and that Kerry disrepects your president, and hates America.
Quote:
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Mr. Bush's advisers said they were girding for the most extensive street demonstrations at any political convention since the Democrats nominated Hubert H. Humphrey in Chicago in 1968. But in contrast to that convention, which was severely undermined by televised displays of street rioting, Republicans said they would seek to turn any disruptions to their advantage, by portraying protests by even independent activists as Democratic-sanctioned displays of disrespect for a sitting president.
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Damn. Where
did I put that fundraiser letter from Cheney?
