What John Kerry lacks

[AmyStrange]

What John Kerry lacks
Thursday, June 10, 2004 - Page A22

FROM: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040610/EKERRY10/Comment/Idx
As 2,000 Democratic activists gathered in Washington last week to plot President George W. Bush's defeat in the coming presidential election, the energy in the room was electric. The guest of honour leaped to the stage; the crowd emitted a spontaneous roar. The speech was a barnburner.

Pity, for the Democrats, that it was delivered by Howard Dean.

With six months to go until the U.S. election day, Democratic nominee John Kerry's muted impact on the campaign trail has some Democrats deeply worried. Mr. Dean has no trouble whipping crowds into an anti-Bush frenzy. Neither does former vice-president Al Gore. But what's the matter with the nominee himself? Mr. Bush is beset by a prisoner-abuse scandal, soaring gasoline prices and a war that's proving far more costly than many expected. Polls show Americans growing progressively more skeptical of the incumbent. Why aren't they warming up to Mr. Kerry?

To some extent, the hand-wringing among Democrats is overdone. The latest CBS News poll finds Mr. Kerry with 49-per-cent support among registered voters, compared with 41 per cent for Mr. Bush. The President's personal approval ratings are mired in the low 40s, a nadir for his presidency. Mr. Bush's recent efforts to recast his war leadership in a more positive light have had limited effect.

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[LittleApple81]

1. I just HOPE and PRAY that he does a sprint like during the

primaries...I think the time to start sprinting is about now?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.