Despite his lead in the opinion polls, history and demographics suggest the president could wind up a loser in November
Martin F. Nolan
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Although polls say otherwise, George W. Bush remains the underdog in this election. Both demographics and history suggest the president's lead is perilous. Providing countervailing numbers to the opinion polls are the largest loss of jobs since Herbert Hoover's presidency and rising casualties in Iraq.
Bush could still win because he has been more disciplined than his opponent, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. In August, Bush campaigned as energetically as a challenger. Kerry coasted like an incumbent.
But by Nov. 2, Bush must convince Floridians that he truly is a compassionate conservative who has improved the environment and provided better health care. He must make Ohioans forget that their state has lost a quarter-million jobs and convince Buckeyes that he is a hero of the downsized and champion of the outsourced.
Some would call it legerdemain; others would call it leadership. The president would prefer the non-French word.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/19/INGJ68OT8L1.DTL