Why I'm Convinced John Forbes Kerry Can Win in the GE

[MAlibdem]

I was in NH, a swing state, on primary day, my experience gave me increased faith in the candidacy in John Kerry.

One particular incident, however, stands out in my mind as to why John Kerry will be the next President of the United States.

My friends and I were doing visibility work (campaign-speak for holding signs and waving at people) at Ward 5 in Nashua, NH. All morning long, we waved at cars, got thumbs up or waves or beeps, but one guy took the cake. He pulled up in a pickup truck covered in NASCAR and support our troops bumper stickers and began beeping. To be honest, I was a little freaked out. He pulled over in front of us and rolled down his window. He was quite a guy. Bright red hair in a mullet, classic NH backwoodsman it seemed (tho we were in Nashua). He yelled for my friend and I to come over, took my friend's sign and banged it up and down on the ground a few times, "Now I can say I volunteered for John Kerry" he told us, and announced he was going to vote for Kerry.

NH is a swing state, and that was most certainly a stereotypical Bush-supporter. But not this year. This year he's a John Kerry man.

[windansea]

1. why I'm conjvinced he can't win

[MAlibdem]

3. Out of context

He said mathematically, which is true...he would only need what Gore got (which was pathetic) and NH. Also, in terms of an ideological bloc, the south is shrinking...VA is barely southern anymore...too many carpetbaggers.

Plus, with a southern VP (let it be Edwards!), i think that problem goes away

[0rganism]

5. After the recent census, that's no longer true

> he would only need what Gore got (which was pathetic) and NH

IIRC, that leaves us ten votes short. Check one of the many online interactive electoral college maps, like
http://www.johnedwards2004.com/map/
A Democratic nominee would be wise to try to get larger states like OH and AZ to swing his way, especially to protect against MN's probable defection.

[adamrsilva]

7. Kerry even gets that wrong

Remember, because of the 2000 Census Bush would have had 7 more electoral votes over Gore. NH isn't enough votes anymore to give the Dem a win. They need 10 now.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. people will vote for someone who makes them comfortable

And Kerry does that. Even to Republicans. Quite an accomplishment for a liberal Democrat from the People's Republic of Massachusettes. :)

[WillyBrandt]

4. I was at Ward 5 for Clark!

Very late at night... curious

[ibegurpard]

6. LOL

:yourock: