Matthews/DeLay video leak intentional

[galatea]

This was leaked on purpose by the RNC. The two candidates who did worst in their "focus group": Hillary and Edwards. Exactly the candidates the Repugs fear the most, despite the false impression they might be "forcing" her on us.

The one who did best: Kerry, the candidate many think Repugs favored in 04 and has absolutely no chance in 08. This was a calculated leak.

[Nostradammit]

1. This might have been leaked, but I really don't think they fear

Hillary. I think they're doing everything in their power to foist her on us.

We would do well to disarm all the base-rousing mud they're poised to sling at Hillary Clinton.

None of my friends seem to be too excited about her.

[galatea]

2. I don;t want her either

but I like John Edwards.

God I wished Al Gore would run.

[sandnsea]

3. The Luntz focus groups??

It's not what it said anyway. It said Warner went up the most. It said Kerry's ten point plan was the best sound byte. The report had positives and negatives about all the candidates, so there wasn't any best or worse anyway.

[KyuzoGator]

4. Umm...I somehow doubt it was leaked intentionally.

The video proves that a major Republican leader is misogynist and a shows a "neutral" media figure kissing his ass.

[ebayfool]

5. ... false impression they might be "forcing" her on us?

Hell, they're doing everything but promising cash if we'll just accept their say-so that she's the 'One'! She has a lot of pros & cons - but the RNC endorsement doesn't add to her allure.

And if you really believe that they're 'skeered' of her ... well, go w/your gut. But I think I'll just believe my own lying eyes!

(psssst! - got a bridge laying about here somewhere, if you're interested!)

[Libby2]

6. Could that be the plan?

To make us think Clinton is the candidate the repubs want us to pick?

[karynnj]

7. I wouldn't call this a leak

This report was out and has been posted and tested for at least a week. Matthews summary of the results differs from the summary of the report posted - although both pull from the results. The basic results - as is always the case from focus groups - are ambiguous.

They did not say that Kerry was the best - they did say he is percieved as intelligence and solid, but he is still hurt by having lost. They simply gave the pros and cons for all the candidates. The results included both people's comments about the candidates to begin with and their reaction to sound bites. Kerry's sound bite was the highest rated sound bite - one way to take this though, is that, just as in 2004, what he says is well said and he has good positions. He did easily win the primaries in 2004. These positives may not be able to overcome the disappointment over his loss. (It is good for Kerry that the group still has the respect for him they do.)

Edwards may have suffered from the group mentality that focus groups are prone to. It is quite positive that an articulate "leader" in each of the groups pushed the "too slick" mentality - leading others to follow. Hillary may have been hurt by lack luster video clips (Edwards may have been too.)

I also doubt the Republicans think Kerry will be all that weak - he nearly defeated Bush with the media stacked against him, a very disorganized party (which Dean among others is laboring to fix) and a calculated use of terror. He was awesome in the debates. If he runs, he may have more trouble winning the primary than the election this time. (The calm Presidential Kerry next to McCain would be interesting. Kerry knows what triggers McCain and Kerry showed the ability to slam tough charges without looking bad himself in 2004. Go back and read Kerry comments- say on the ammo dumps.