A Rovian tactic the Dem must not fall for

[ButterflyBlood]

it's what happening with the nonsense about how Bush is going to try for New York. Bush is not going to win New York. Rove knows this (I don't know if Bush does, but that doesn't matter) and anyone who says he has a chance also knows this. But that doesn't matter. The purpose is to get the people to THINK New York is in play, and then spend resources there.

I think this might've been tried in 2000. Lots of right wing pundits were predicting a Bush landslide, saying he was going to take California in a huge upset. Phony polls showed California with Bush leading or neck and neck. The media kept listing California as too close to call. Then toward the end of the campaign, Gore started making stops in California, and spent resources that would be far better spent in West Virginia, Florida, Ohio or New Hampshire. Then comes election day and Gore blows out Bush.

Bush is going to have money to spare, the Dem doesn't. The Dem better not be fooled into thinking he's going to have to fight for New York. Every cent spent there is just a cent wasted that'll make Rove happy.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. While we are on the subject, although I don't care for him

calling Lieberman a Rpublican is a Rovian tactic. Can you please cease?

[poskonig]

2. These kinds of tactics will backfire.

Democrats are willing to put their money and their freetime where their mouths are this election. If Rove claims "California is too close to call" in 2004, the activists themselves may put all doubt away.