Two more weeks...

[kentuck]

The manipulation and desperation will be on display for all America to see. There is no reason to believe the Republicans will do anything different from what they have done in the past to assure a victory. For a while, they thought they had a good chance of picking up the NJ Senate seat - as well as maintain OH and PA. But, as recent weeks have passed, they have withdrawn all their forces into one tight circle. They are clinging to hope in three states as the election advances quickly upon their rear guard.

They are putting all their money into TN, VA, and MO. If they can maintain those 3 states, they believe they can maintain the Senate. By maintaining the Senate, they can protect George W Bush and the Republican Party from investigations and impeachment and still control who gets nominated to the Supreme Court. The Senate is vital to them.

Since the Senate is necessary for their survival, they are pulling no punches and have no limits on what they are willing to spend. They understand that "negative" ads work better for them than positive ads. That is why Harold Ford, Jr has lost a five-point lead in some polls and now there is a deadheat in TN. The RNC has come into the state with some of the sleasiest and most negative advertising in memory. It appears to be working for them in TN.

So, what should be the Democratic strategy in these three states in these last two weeks? Should Harold Ford respond in kind? Or should he flood the TN market with a "positive" ad pointing out the negative aspects of the Republican ads, drawing a sharp contrast in the people's minds?

Or should the Democrats focus on VA and/or MO? Could the Democrats take one of those states while the Republicans are concentrating primarily on TN? Should they run attack ads against the Republicans in those two states? Can Webb win in VA? Can McCaskill win in MO? Which state do the Democrats have the best chance of winning? And should they focus more on that one state? These are the decisions that must be made in the next two weeks.