MTP - Let the Campaign begin.

[spanone]

If this is the best shrub* has to offer I am greatly encouraged. His 200 million dollar war chest will be hard to overcome, but if he insists on doing his own talking we've got him beat. I don't think he's stupid, but he believes the public is. And they'll turn on him like a bad smell.

[truhavoc]

1. What comment I liked the best

Was that he said he doesn't resort to negative campaigning! :toast:
Maybe he has some other term for what he does such as, protecting the homeland from those who wish to do harm to my presidency. :shrug:
But seriously, this is going to come back an bite him in the ass the moment a negative ad comes out that ends with "Paid by George W Bush".

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. Ask Ann Richards if Shrub doesn't

"resort to negative campaigning." I seem to remember at least six weeks of extremely "negative campaigning" in which he slammed Ann Richards while campaigning for Tx Gov. Guess it depends on what his definition of "negative" is? Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

[baby_bear]

2. That's just what I thought in 2000

W himself is amazingly unimpressive. It's his machine, the Rove/Baker machine, that I fear. They will do anything, I believe, to keep this administration in power.

I fear a September surprise, not long after the Republican convention.

As even William Safire stated (probably presciently) in a column last week, crises tend to benefit the incumbent. I felt a chill go up my spine when I read that.

s_m

[nostamj]

3. based on a report this morning

Chris Matthews I think, Kerry has the potential to match * in funding. and if the repugs smear Kerry, then his wife will tap into her .5 BILLION.

the fat lady hasn't even warmed up yet

[Eric J in MN]

6. Kerry's wife faces the same limitations on giving as

Kerry's wife faces the same limitations on giving as if she weren't Kerry's wife.

She can give a maximum of $2,000 directly to the campaign.

She can give additional money to 527s, the National Democratic Party, and state Democratic Parties, but there is a limit on the total she can give which is way below $200 million.

We need to contribute ourselves and can't count on Theresa Heinz to do all the spending.

(on edit: there may not be an upper-limit on contributions to 527s at this time, but that may change. Also, 527s are limited in how they can spend large donations)

[nostamj]

8. i know that. based on this report

Kerry can raise close to the $200M on his own. Teresa is an ace-in-the-hole for additional donations--other than directly to the campaign.

[Eric J in MN]

4. Starting on March 10, 2004, we should try to help the frontrunner

Starting on March 10, 2004, we should try to help the frontrunner compete with Bush's $200 million.

Those of us who can afford to should give the maximum of $2,000. I will give $2,000 to the frontrunner on March 10.

Those who can't contribute money should ask others to give.

[LittleApple81]

5. Did you watch the C-Span "analysis" of the interview? He did GREAT

according to the "pundit" reporters interviewed. My comment was, and still is, am I crazy? What I saw in that interview was a bumbling lying twit... and they called it a RESOUNDING SUCCESS.

[truhavoc]

10. See this is the scary part

As the media pronouncing this showing a "resounding success", there it will be in all the newspapers tomorrow..swaying public opinion.

[RichM]

7. Unfortunately, he won't often be doing his own talking. Today may be

the last time, in fact. Every other appearance will be totally scripted & stage-managed. (Of course, even today was very air-brushed, edited & rehearsed.) The "debates" will have a format that makes real debate impossible (as in 2000).