Politics Blog

The mainstream media is freaking out…while Rollcall says that Mel Martinez is likely to win, other left-wing Florida newspapers are going crazy in their new-found love for McCollum. Again, if you are a Floridian, go to the polls, take your friends, and vote for Martinez!

Strategic Vision has released four state polls - Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

In Georgia, as you might guess, the President leads 55%-36%. His approval rating is close to 60%. If the President can carry the entire South by this margin, then it’s nearly guaranteed that the Senate races will be a disaster for the Democrats.

In Wisconsin, President Bush leads 48%-46%. His approval rating has climbed to 49% and his disapproval fallen to 31%. His approval ratings on the war and the economy have also gone up since the last poll. Kerry’s image has taken a beating, and the Massachusetts liberal is about as popular as he is unpopular. Wisconsin voters believe the Swiftboat ads are credible by a ten-point margin.

In Ohio, President Bush has expanded his lead, now ahead by six points, 48%-42%. His approval rating is at 50%, and he has fairly good ratings on the economy and Iraq. Kerry’s image has taken a pounding in the Buckeye State.

In Florida, President Bush leads 48%-44%. His job approval rating has climbed to 52%. Florida voters are increasing optimistic about the future of the economy and Iraq. John Kery only has a 42% favorable rating, 40% unfavorable rating.

Of course we will hear the media say over and over again that President Bush is still tied with his challenger. However has any challenger in so pathetic a position gone on to win the fall? Voters seem to want to re-elect the President. They do not like his opponent but want to be convinced the President has a vision for a second term. This is why the speeches last night and those to come are so important. More on this later…

UPDATE: President Bush leads in Texas 57%-33%. This is extremely good news because of its potential for the popular vote totals.

— Alexander K. McClure

Watching Guiliani’s speech last night reminded me of this story from Tom Von Essen’s book, which was posted at Nascar Dads several months ago, about Bush’s ride in an SUV to Ground Zero with Pataki, Giuliani, Bernard Kerik and Von Essen just days after the 9/11 attacks. It is a little raw, but really does convey how comfortable Bush makes those around him feel. I especially like the part about Pataki being horrified and Rudy rolling his eyes. It is just so easy to picture that scene in my mind.

— Lorie Byrd

Drudge: Bush on Rush at 1:45 PM ET.

— PoliPundit

Polipundit’s post about Bush on Rush today reminded me that several times yesterday Sean Hannity plugged a special announcement by Tommy Franks to air live on his show today. I predicted a while back that Franks would wait until his book tour was over to come out and endorse President Bush. Could that be the announcement?

— Lorie Byrd

Several weeks ago, I posted an excerpt from a Fox News Sunday interview with John Kerry that was alarming to me. In it, when Kerry was asked about how he would build a bigger coalition of nations in Iraq, he talked about the “cards” that had not yet been played by President Bush. I opined about what these “cards” might be – just how much would Kerry be willing to give up to gain the cooperation of, say, France? It has always seemed to me that when John Kerry belittles the current coalition, he also belittles the contributions of our current allies in Iraq. Today, Rush Limbaugh said he wonders if Kerry could even hold together the current coalition, in light of all the derogatory things he has said about their contributions and how dismissive he has been of them. Maybe Kerry is thinking that if he deals them enough of those “cards”, they will forgive him.

— Lorie Byrd

The Democratic Presidential candidate’s campaign is stalled and capsizing, and John Kerry just proved why he is sinking. Who does he blame for his campaign’s failures? Everyone but himself, of course. John Kerry, it seems, cannot do anything wrong…

According to Al Hunt, Kerry is “bouncing off the walls” because the campaign is “often frozen – or at least tempered – by too many chefs, a too-heavy reliance on polls or focus groups and an aversion to risks. As a result, the message often is muddled and the reaction to hard-hitting attacks from Republicans often is slow and unconvincing.”

So they are thinking of bringing John Sasso back on board…he was one of the numerous geniuses of the Dukakis campaign. Who’s next? Susan Estrich? Another person thought to be a likely pick for the Kerry campaign is Joe Lockhart. Yeah, that should bring back warm memories for swing voters. However, do not be concerned. It doesn’t matter who is on the staff. Kerry is the candidate, and the success or failure of his campaign ultimately depends on him. This egotist doesn’t learn.

— Alexander K. McClure

Betsy’s Page reports something she heard on Laura Ingraham’s show that gives me comfort that at least a few on the left still have a sense of humor.

— Lorie Byrd

On the Rush Limbaugh program, President Bush announced he will address the convention tonight from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, scene of the most critical battle of the Civil War and one of two sublime speeches by Abraham Lincoln. President Eisenhower, probably the greatest soldier to occupy the White House, retired here. It is also not far from where a plane crashed on September 11, 2001.

It is a beautiful place, with rolling farm fields and an excellent view of the mountains in the distance. Unfortunately President will address the convention after twilight, so an outside performance is impossible, but the symbolism remains.

— Alexander K. McClure

Here’s the RNC schedule for today. Ahnold is on today. And Laura Bush should make a very interesting contrast to Teresa Heinz’s weird performance. Remember how she showed off all the languages she knew? Ughh.

— PoliPundit

Ahhhh, protesters. The sweet sound of raucous malcontents, determined, however unintentionally, to re-elect George W. Bush!

Why am I so happy to see a bunch of unwashed hooligans, so reminiscent of a soccer gang or the French Legislative Assembly? Because the crowds of protesters in New York City this week, are doing exactly what John Kerry and John Edwards hoped to avoid. They are reminding the nation about the clear choice at hand.

Kerry, Edwards, Moore, and the leftovers from the Hippie Movement would have you believe that the war in Iraq is a mistake at best, and protest against that war is nothing more than reasonable people reacting to unreasonable policy. Unfortunately for them, the protest groups have no intention of playing by the Democrats