Bush Strategists Now Expect to Trail Kerry or Run Even Through Summer

[onehandle]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 — President Bush's campaign strategists say they now expect to trail or do no better than run even with Senator John Kerry through the summer, despite their aggressive new effort to counter months of Democratic attacks.

Some Republicans said the campaign's assessment was intended in part to lower expectations and convince jittery supporters that the election was unfolding just as the White House had anticipated. But they said it also reflected a belief that the president had his work cut out for him in getting back on the offensive after a period in which events outside Mr. Bush's control and concerted Democratic criticism had undermined his political strength.

http://nytimes.com/2004/02/29/politics/campaign/29BUSH.html

[AngryYoungMan]

1. "events outside of his control" my ass

Like this all just "happened"

[Arugula Latte]

13. Exactly.

That was my first thought, too. Oh, poor W. It's not his fault that he pushed through a massive tax cut for the wealthy that ran up the deficit by billions and stifled job growth. It's not his fault he invaded Iraq under false pretenses. It's not his fault he signed a Medicare bill that was just a big handout to the pharmaceutical industry. It's not his fault he can't speak English. It's not his fault he's managed to alienate and piss off the rest of the civilized world. It's not his fault he's pushed corporations to pillage the environment for corporate gain. ...

Oh, wait. Yes it is.

[still_one]

2. With all the crap

that this administration has done, the white-wash and free ride the press has given him, he is now desperate that they are creating major buzz that bin Laden will be caught soon

If that does not occur, BUSH is toast. If it does occur...

[AngryYoungMan]

3. ...he's still toast.

eom

[pinto]

4. "foray into the heart of the Dem base in CA", big bwana bush go to

Bakersfield...What a crock of reportorial shit.

[kskiska]

5. I wonder if he'll take his month-long vacation

at the pig farm this summer?

"See? We told you Bush was losing. We predicted all this! We meant to do it."

[jfxgillis]

12. He will, but for once I don't blame him

I'll be watching the Olympics full time myself come August.

But then, I'm not President of the United States. If I wanna be a lazy good-fer-nuttin' coach potato for three weeks, it's my right!!

[Leilani]

6. Why are Talking Heads

still describing him as "so popular?"

[slinkerwink]

8. I have no clue---the pravda is trying to boost his ratings

[BeatleBoot]

7. He'll have to put on his pilot costume

and grab his plastic turkey for some photo ops.

[mot78]

9. * is trying to deflate his expectations

He did that throughout the 2000 lections, especially in the debates. We can't let him do this again.

[LiberalFighter]

10. That's called spin

[truthisfreedom]

11. looking more and more like he's got bin laden and will use oct surprise

to win... trouble is, most Americans don't think much about bin laden anymore.