Polls do not reflect what is happening on the ground. Not in this town.

[AlinPA]

This was the first time in my life (I'm 66) that I have ever seen anyone carrying political signs. On the main street of a Western PA college town, known as being very republican, a group of about 20 people are walking quietly past the library carrying Kerry-Edwards signs. A few families, one with a dog (with a Kerry-Edwards button!), some students. Voter registration tables are set up in front of the movie theater and courthouse with a few people (probably students) signing up. The tables are set up by students who are Democrats (I know a few of them). My dear DUers, there is something happening here that is not shown in the stupid polls.

[pearl]

1. Thanks for the report

They are really trying to pshch us out with these polls.

[mzmolly]

2. My *gut* tells me that they won't be able to steal this one. I think they

will be overwhelmed with the results. ;)

[yellowcanine]

3. The stickers work great on the top of a dog's head. I put a K/E sticker

on the top of our dog's head at our local Labor Day festival and explained to everyone that he was a "black dog Democrat." Made a real nuisance out of myself but got some laughs also.

[Hoosierdaddee]

4. What I see vs What I hear

My work has taken me to various states over the past couple of months and what I've seen "on the road" contradicts much of what I hear (or read) in the media.

I've been doing what I call the "bumper sticker survey", here's results to date:

Illinois (Chicago Area and NW Indiana) - Kerry 37 vs Bush 7
Michigan (Kalamazoo / SW Michigan) Kerry 8 vs Bush 3
Ohio (Cleveland) - Kerry 17 vs Bush 4
Ohio (Cincinnati) - Kerry 3 vs Bush 2
Georgia (Atlanta / NW Georgia) - Kerry 3 vs Bush 4
Connecticut (Hartford) - Kerry 7 vs Bush 2
Masschusettes (Springfield) - Kerry 2 vs Bush 0

NOTE: 4 of the Bush vehicles seen while traveling on I-80 through Indiana and Ohio were from Missouri.

Conclusions:
I can't say this survey indicates a wider support for Kerry but I can postulate that:

1) Kerry supporters are more willing to show who they support
2) Bush supporters (except apparently those from Missouri) are less willing to mar their bumpers / windows with a sticker.

Also when I'm out traveling - if I have the time I'll drive through residential areas - Kerry / Edwards by far wins the lawn sign contest - by a rough 6 to 1.

Examples: I was in a mid size Central Mi city (Labor Day weekend) and counted 47 Kerry lawn signs to 1 Bush sign. Last week I drove through a small town in N. Connecticut (on the main highway) - 17 homes w/ Kerry Signs / 4 w/ Bush signs.

From my conversations with people that I've visited:

1) most - opinion of Bush is negative
2) most - opinion of Kerry is positive
3) many - will definently not vote for Bush
4) about half - will definently vote for Kerry
5) very few - will definently vote for Bush

Main Issues:

Bush Supporters - war on terror and fear of another 9/11 attack, taxes
Kerry Supporters - jobs, economy, healthcare and Iraq