Let me get this straight, Kerry has been relatively quiet through August

[zbdent]

not making much of a stink.

Bush has been leading up to the convention, hoping for a bump.

Bush (through his "people") has been hyping the idea that Kerry is not patriotic all through August.

Kerry has, on occasion, responded to the Swift Boat liars, but not much else in the battle for the WH.

And Kerry is still pretty much tied with W in the swing states? The news reports say that "Kerry hasn't had much of a bounce" since the DNC?

Watch for the "Bush Bounce" from the convention. I don't know if it will have much of an effect.

Then again, Kerry is going to hit the campaign trail once again, starting midnight right after Bush's acceptance speech.

Folks, this could get really ugly (for W).

[berner59]

1. what's Kerry up to then??

Will he start his all out offense on him?? Was he waiting for the enemy to get all set up - set off a few shots and then go full into him?? Is this the plan?? Someone say yes so we can all breathe a little easily...

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. I'm sure it won't be enough for his critics on DU

who apparently think he should be following the strategy that was such a failure for some of his opponents in the primaries.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Kerry had to keep tight control on his money during the dry period

Kerry could not fundraise during August, but Bush / Rove could and they could spend. Kerry was husbanding resources.

When Kerry turned his boat into the attack, the Swifty Bought Veterans for Trash began to sink. Then the media sensed blood in the water and piled on. A couple of Bush / Rove campaign resignations followed. Now over 50 percent of people polled believe that there is no merit to the SBVT junk and that Bush / Rove is behind it.

Seems like it was efficiently handled.

[BillZBubb]

3. OK, that was the "glass is half full" side.

What about the fact that oil prices skyrocketed. Economic growth slowed. A million more in poverty. Millions less without health insurance. Iraq was even bloodier than usual. Consumer confidence is down. Kerry entered the month with a lead.

Given all that, the best Kerry does is comes out of August tied? Before the RNC?

Folks, this could get really ugly (for JFK).

He had better come out fighting like a Tasmanian devil, because the Repugs have effectively defined him in a very negative light. It has stuck.

[On the Road]

4. The Problem is

that if Kerry comes out like a Tasmanian devil, he will define himself in a negative light. That's what Howard Dean did. However much it's justified, it cannot be done by fighting.

Clinton had an amazing ability to be extremely critical without sounding negative. Kerry needs to learn from him.

[Demoiselle]

6. Kerry has NOT been "relatively quiet through August"!!

He's been campaigning all over the country. Did you miss all the mob scene political rally photos posted here on DU? The national media hasn't been paying all that much attention to anything but Swift boats, of course...but he has been working hard. And even with Swiftboats and without "Media" focus on his actual on the ground campaign... you're right, he's still even or a little ahead. I wish we could all take a deep breath around here and understand that there's a long long way to go on this thing.

[zbdent]

8. I'm referring to the campaign commercials

mostly.

I know that he was shaking hands and visiting thousands.

But I believe that he will really come out swinging now, and the fact that he has only "dropped" down to about Bush's level in some cases means that once he "turns the boat into the gunfire", Bush may end up shitting himself in the wee hours of 11/3.

[JLuckey]

7. I think Kerry has kept his powder dry.........

We have 2 long months. When under attack Kerry turned his Swift Boat into it and attacked. I'm trusting he hasn't changed and we will be pleasantly surprised in the next 2 months. *Bush cannot do anything right! How would you like to be trying to manage his campaign? Hang on this is going to be fun!