It's good that Kerry is shown a point or two behind in the polls

[PlanetBev]

In 1968, the polls showed Humphrey 3 points ahead of Nixon. Democrats were very divided that year because of the war and the aftermath of the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Between the complacency and the divisions, Nixon won by the skin of his teeth.

This year in particular, there is no luxury of sitting on our ass and blowing off voting, as there is no play in the polls at all. Unlike other years, we are united and determined. I believe all the components are in place to pull this thing off. We've got the winning hand.

[TruthIsAll]

1. Not true. The polls showed Humphrey behind but closing the gap.

I know. I was there.

[Trajan]

2. I agree ....

No matter WHAT the polls say: Presume we are 1 % point BEHIND in EVERY state .. and fight LIKE HELL for that last 1% ....

We will win if we fight for it ...

[WI_DEM]

3. Actually the final Harris poll had HHH up by 3

but for most of the campaign Humphrey had been behind Nixon, as much as 15-points, until he gave the "Salt Lake City" speech in late Sept where he modified his views on Vietnam--then he started gaining.

But your point is correct that in the end it will come down to turning out our voters.

[PlanetBev]

4. I'll never forget watching the returns come in that night in '68

At one point, they showed a split screen, 30 million for Humphrey and 30 million for Nixon. It really was one of the all time cliff-hangers. It is said that if Humphrey had just one more week, he would have won.

[dolstein]

5. Bullshit. No candidate wants to be behind in the polls with 10 days to go

When you're ahead in the polls, the press uses words like "surging" and "momentum." The crows at your campaign rallies are "energized" and "hopeful." Your campaign strategists are "geniuses." Your opponent is "beleagured." His attacks carry a tinge of "desperation." His supporters are "anxious".

The press is just dying to report that the momentum has swung to a particular candidate in the final days of the race. As long as Kerry's behind, he sure as hell isn't going to be able to reap the benefit of that kind of story.