1st Debate probably cost Bush the Election

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Bush had everything going his way and he lost it all by forgetting his audience.

[??????????]

<buzzer goes off> wrong.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

<buzzer goes off> wrong.

Then how do you explain Bush going from a 6-point lead with the big MO...to being only 1-2 points up with Kerry having the big MO..in about 2 weeks time?

[??????????]

<buzzer goes off> wrong.

Then how do you explain Bush going from a 6-point lead with the big MO...to being only 1-2 points up with Kerry having the big MO..in about 2 weeks time?

Bush still leads in the majority of battlegrounds.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

Bush still leads in the majority of battlegrounds.

Which will be gone if the polls move another point or two toward Kerry.

[TomC]

Bush needs to lead in the majority of battlegrounds, the majority of battlegrounds were Bush states in 2000.

George W. Bush had everything going for him: because of 9/11, he had the highest-ever recorded approval rating of a President, despite a good third of the country thinking he wasn't a legitimate President. He gained seats in Congress in 2002, bucking a typical loss of party in power. While the economy has had bumps, unemployment is really not that high. He's presided over a massive increase in federal spending and conservatives still love him. His base has loyally  towed the party line in incredible ways. He has virtually one entire news channel supporting him. He has made any liberal network tread carefully to not appear buased. He has given massive tax cuts to the wealthy (and middle class parents). A majority of people like George Bush's personality.

So why is GW Bush fighting for his political life against "the most liberal senator in the nation"?

The debate may be part of it but I believe it is also that he has expended his political capitol on this war and really doesn't have much left. The nation perceives, accurately, that Bush has misled them, and, except for the focus of the convention, his attacks on Kerry aren't seen as truthful and aren't working. George Bush cried wolf on numerous details about Iraq and is now paying the price in credibility.

[opebo]

Bush had everything going his way and he lost it all by forgetting his audience.

Don't be so pessimistic!  He still has an excellent chance of winning on your people alone.

[Sarnstrom]

<buzzer goes off> wrong.

Then how do you explain Bush going from a 6-point lead with the big MO...to being only 1-2 points up with Kerry having the big MO..in about 2 weeks time?

Bush still leads in the majority of battlegrounds.

Think Again States,

ARIZONA (Northern Arizona University): Bush-49%, Kerry-44%, Badnarik-1%. IOWA (Chicago Tribune): Bush-47%, Kerry-45%, Nader-1%. IOWA (ARG): Bush and Kerry tied at 47% apiece. MINNESOTA (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-45%, Bush-43%, Nader-2%. OHIO (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-49%, Bush-45%. OREGON (ARG): Kerry-49%, Bush-44%. WISCONSIN (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-47%, Bush-43%, Nader-2%.

Arizona and Iowa are much closer than before. MN, WI, OR, and OH are moving even farther into Kerry's column. jmfcst is right.

[Bogart]

If you look at several other polls besides the Trib, many don't look quite as close.

[??????????]

<buzzer goes off> wrong.

Then how do you explain Bush going from a 6-point lead with the big MO...to being only 1-2 points up with Kerry having the big MO..in about 2 weeks time?

Bush still leads in the majority of battlegrounds.

Think Again States,

ARIZONA (Northern Arizona University): Bush-49%, Kerry-44%, Badnarik-1%. IOWA (Chicago Tribune): Bush-47%, Kerry-45%, Nader-1%. IOWA (ARG): Bush and Kerry tied at 47% apiece. MINNESOTA (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-45%, Bush-43%, Nader-2%. OHIO (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-49%, Bush-45%. OREGON (ARG): Kerry-49%, Bush-44%. WISCONSIN (Chicago Tribune): Kerry-47%, Bush-43%, Nader-2%.

Arizona and Iowa are much closer than before. MN, WI, OR, and OH are moving even farther into Kerry's column. jmfcst is right.

Chicago Tribune? Northern Arizona Uni Poll? ARG? LOL. Find some real polls and get back to me.

[RN]

Testify brother StatesRights. 
I hear Zogby has Kerry up-LOL