Bush Campaign: Bush vs. Dean, "could be as close as the one in 2000."

[dajabr]

Here's the NYT article, Bush's Advisers Focus on Dean as Likely Opponent Next Year: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/11/politics/campaigns/11REPU.html?ex=1071723600&en=cf35cedabb3022e5&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Some excerpts (emphasis mine):

But with Dr. Dean, in their view, pulling away from his Democratic rivals by all indicators — the polls, fund-raising and endorsements — Republicans said he was forcing the Bush campaign to begin making decisions about how and when to engage him.

--snip--

...even as Republicans — perhaps motivated as much by a desire to guard against complacency in their ranks as by any newfound respect for Dr. Dean's electoral strength — talked of their plans for a tough general election faceoff against him.

--snip--

One Republican who speaks regularly to White House officials said there was serious thought about pursuing the earliest and most aggressive of the plans under consideration: putting Mr. Bush into full campaign mode soon after he delivers the State of the Union address in late January. In that way, the Republican said, Mr. Bush could get a quick start on defining Dr. Dean as too far to the left for the country before the former Vermont governor can wrap up the primaries and begin trying to move himself toward the political center.

--snip--

"They do not underestimate Dean, because Dean is able to stir the energy in the Democratic party grass roots," said Deal W. Hudson, the editor of Crisis Magazine and an influential religious conservative who is in regular contact with the White House. "That makes him potentially the most formidable of the Democratic nominees."

[creativelcro]

1. yeah, I'm sure they'll share their strategy with the world

[Don Claybrook]

2. They're already trying hard to set that expectation

And they're trying to set that expectation for a good reason: I think Dean will win the popular vote by 8 or 9 percentage points (maybe more, but I don't want to commit to that yet).

Bring 'em on, Karl. Let's play.

[dusty64]

23. They want us to

believe the election will be close enough to steal again.

[tom_paine]

25. If Dean wins by 8 or 9 percentage points

The race will be a near tie, given all the manual and electronic disenfranchisement combined with ballot stuffing the Busheviks have pioneered.

8 or 9 percent means close enough to steal, a tie.

Dean wioll have to win in actuality by 15% to gain a 3-5% victory.

[killbotfactory]

3. Dean will win in a landslide

Name one goddamn thing that's gotten better under Bush's watch.

[dajabr]

14. Nothing... and we can never forget it.

Someone needs to read Chapter 14 of Dean's book out-loud and word-for-word from the podium at the Convention - no matter who the Candidate is.

:yourock:

[Guaranteed]

4. "That makes him potentially the most formidable of the...

...Democratic nominees."

I think that's why Gore endorsed him.

I tell ya, Clinton had better not try to sabotage this election. If the DLC purposefully splits us because they lost their leadership role, due to their OWN incompetence, I will NEVER forgive them. I'll work for Nader forevermore, and DESTROY them.

[Corgigal]

6. Clinton is a lot of things

but dumb isn't one of them.

[rumguy]

5. I still think the one they're really afraid of it Clark

Doesn't anyone remember that this white house leaks nothing? What is going on here? Don't let them mindfuck you.

[dajabr]

7. Did ya...

Read the article?

"Given Mr. Bush's dislike for seeing his aides and advisers quoted about strategy and tactics, few Republican officials were willing to be quoted by name about the plans for running against Dr. Dean."

[rumguy]

8. They're sly...sly I tell ya

that's how they get stories planted in the press - off the cuff remarks made to reporters, they pick of the phone and make a call. It's really very simple. I'm telling this story stinks to high heaven. It absolutely stinks! They're trying to play us for fools. I'm not saying it will work, but that's what they are trying to do.

[dajabr]

9. Yes, I watch "West Wing"

I know how the game is played. :eyes:

[Guaranteed]

10. This sounds like the right plan, anyway

If I was in their position, I'd definitely start in early, even during the primary, on Dean, and try to paint him as a leftist.

Doesn't this at least sound right?

[janx]

20. Yeah! Yeah! That sounds right!

!

[janx]

19. Cards close to the vest...advisory board in secret session...

!

[dansolo]

11. They are afraid of both of them

Both of them are fighters, which is the thing they fear the most. They want to control the election, and neither one of these gentlemen will let them.

[rumguy]

13. I agree

but I think they are terrified of Clark.

[ibegurpard]

12. We need to stop trying to second-guess them

And work every day like we are losing.

[dajabr]

15. yep (nt)

[Melodybe]

16. The are affraid of BOTH, they are terrified of a Dean/Clark ticket!

If you can stomache it, watch Fox news, they are purposely playing up the Gore/Clinton endorsements to fuck up the primaries and then split the vote afterwards in the general election. Their worse nightmare is a ticket with both. I am beginning to feel more and more that we HAVE to convince them to team up. I already wrote Dean's people an e-mail suggesting just that.

[dajabr]

17. I don't know...

I think if we put Clark on the ticket, we could kiss goodbye all the Progressives Dean has attracted.

Seriously, what is the so-called "Clinton-Wing" or DLC going to do, vote Bush? Sit on their hands? OK, those have a chance of happening, but I think it's likely they'll hold their nose and pull the lever for Dean.

Progressives, however, would be much harder to convince.

[janx]

21. I'm not second guessing. I'm laughing.

This doesn't mean I don't take things seriously, but...!!!! It's fun to watch.

[janx]

18. Oh dear, look at this! :

"The broad thematics and the whole approach to him, those things have been well thought out. As for the tactical stuff, it's still out there. The timing is a big decision."



HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHA!

I can't wait for this!

[janx]

22. MBA pResident...

look for "corporate strategery."

[CreekDog]

24. As Close As 2000 --You Mean 5-4 In The Surpreme Court?

Surprisingly, Bush got 100% of the African-American vote in that election.