Overconfidence and Complacency are our Worst Enemies

[BayStateBoy]

Given all the "bombs" that have fallen on the Bushbots in the last several days, one would expect to see poll numbers lurching in Kerry's direction. Evidently, this is not (yet) happening.

No one knows whether or not a majority of the public have been permanently de-brained or brainwashed by the current White House occupants.

No one knows for certain the accuracy of the various polls.But the rather consistent "tightness" is worrisome.

Therefore, I RESPECTFULLY suggest we assume a very cautious approach assuming the worst case scenario and continue to work like hell for Kerry and to get out the vote.

If the votes are counted and we deliver the vote in record or near record numbers on Nov 2nd we will win.

[RafterMan]

1. Nobody is complacent

and confidence does not become overconfidence just because you say so.

[tomfodw]

3. Don't take it personally, he's not criticizing you

He's just warning in general.

I agree with him. Confidence is one thing, but there is an air of victory here right now which I'm still not sure is entirely warranted. Hope is a good thing, but hope is not a plan.

I know, I know, nobody here is coasting, nobody here is so confident that they're not going to work hard the next 4 days. Still, keeping a lid on the exuberance is not necessarily a bad thing.

[cheezus]

2. I respectfully suggest that expecting the best is as strong a motivator

but what we agree on is this:
continue to work like hell for Kerry and to get out the vote.
and that's what's important.

[Dookus]

4. don't we have enough

of these threads?

There's nothing wrong with being confident. None of us is gonna sit out the election because we believe Kerry will win.

I don't believe in a fickle fate that punishes hubris, either.

[BayStateBoy]

6. My Concern is Not About DU Activists and Other Dedicated Workers

But I worry about the fickle voter who might stay at home thinking it's in the bag for Kerry.

It's been known to happen.

[geniph]

7. That's why so many of us are going out this weekend

and Election Day, chivvying people to get to the polls, taking people to the polls, reminding people to mail in absentee ballots, and generally making pests of ourselves. A lot of us are basically abdicating from our normal lives for the next four days to make sure we get every voter possible to the polls.

GOTV is the best cure for nervousness and anxiety right now.

[sandnsea]

5. Fight for every vote

Up or down, good news or bad, it's all in the ground game. As JK always says, we have to fight for every vote, right up until the polls close. You're absolutely right. Enjoy the good news, and then, BACK TO WORK.

[billyoc]

8. Agreed. I don't get the sense that many DU'ers

are complacent, though. But there's a good feeling(for me at least) to be had just from the sense of community and working together to GOTV.

I *have* been guilty of "kerry-in-a-landslide"'ing, though. :/

[ciaobox]

9. We CAN have it both ways.

I don't think being confident about a Kerry LANDSLIDE will depress voter turnout on our side. Very few are going to miss their opportunity to crush Bush on Teusday just because they think we are winning.

On the other hand, moderates and those on the fence might be more motivated to vote Kerry if they smell a winner. A lot of these people don't care that much but DO care about picking a winner.

I think creating an atmosphere of inevitability of a Kerry landslide helps us a lot.

[rocktivity]

10. VISUALIZE WINNING--And that's an order!

We have reason to feel positive--that's nothing to be ashamed of!
http://www.needlenose.com/win04/vote2.htm

:headbang:
rocknation