I believe the "filtering" process that Bush uses for rallies has to

[DuaneBidoux]

be really hurting him with "undecideds." Can you imagine Kerry kicking women out who were wearing "protect our civil liberties" T-shirts? or even something slightly anti-Kerry. Kerry rallies with the "big tent" approach, and that is bound to convert some who wander in slightly negative or even completely unconvinced. But rally after rally after rally for Bush where all but the most faithful are kept out. Surely that must work against converting truly undecideds.

[TimeToGo]

1. One would think

But, I guess it is all about the TV screen time -- having throngs of suporters with no possibility of boos and the like.

And of course, our media does not report the filter the way one might thing they should.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. only if it is covered in the press

if people don't hear about this shit then it won't hurt him.

[drb]

3. I have suggested in other forums...

...that the whole purpose of the filtering is to keep Bush in "the bubble" - that he's so out of touch with reality that he doesn't know anybody hates him. He also doesn't know that 1,100 brave American soliders have died in Iraq....

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. It's about making photo-ops and sound bites

They don't want any hecklers showing up on local TV news.

They have more to fear from hecklers since Bush can't handle them like Kerry can and does.

[surrounded]

5. Of course he knows--

He saw it on tv.

[Atman]

6. I don't think he knows the adoring crowds are screened

He doesn't watch the television or read papers. He admits it himself. You don't honestly think he has staff meetings with the screeners, do you? He's in his little bubble until Rove gives him the cue to run out on stage. That's why he was so freaked out when people didn't like him at the debates. He probably couldn't figure out why they were being so hostile, when the rest of America (or so he thinks) just goes ga-ga whenever he speaks.

[CityHall]

7. We should do an experiment with the T-shirts

Send two groups of people - one with confederate flags, "Kill em all, let God sort 'em out", "Nuke Mecca" and similar slogans, and another group with anti-racism, pro-civil-liberties t-shirts. And another few undercover folks to videotape the second group getting tossed while the first is welcomed with open arms.

[Eric J in MN]

8. Ideally, but most people don't know that Bush kicked out

women wearing "protect our civil liberties" t-shirts.

It wasn't a big news story outside Democratic Underground.

[elperromagico]

9. Ahh, but it looks nice on TV

when a Bush crowd reacts like some giant, hypnotized mass... which of course is not an entirely inaccurate image.

[lfs5]

10. The media should preface every report from a Bush campaign event

by saying, "Appearing before invited guest at..."or "Speaking ro hand-picked supporters in..."or better yet, "After signing loyalty oaths X people heard the President..." Well, you get the drift, and the truth is, it would take this to say we had anything like accurate reporting from the campaign trail!