Controversial theory: "Dean's gaffe" coverage helping Dean

[mouse7]

Since the press has been pounding the drumbeat of "Dean's Gaffes" Howard Dean's poll numbers vs. Bush have skyrocketed. Dean is now within 5 points of Bush in face-off polls. Dean is within the margin of error of actually leading the race nationally.

WHY?

Compare the information the average voter has to compare Dean and Dumbya? Dean, a governor from a small state that speaks out against Bush, spoke against Iraq War, and Dean seems to be making some errors on the campaign trail. Might be a "liberal." Might be a doctor.

That's about the total info the average voter knows about Dean.

Dumbya? Shock and Awe. US troops to be in Iraq for years to come. US troops dying every day. Jobs moving overseas. Lots of terror warnings. Not terribly bright.

Now, look at those two choices and you tell me why there's a shift to Dean happening. Dean may not look "great", but look at the alternative?

Dean gaffe coverage is helping Dean because it's building in the voter the recognition that Dean may not be perfect, but he's a lot better that the alternative, Dumbya.

[Gore1FL]

1. Bush attacking Dean for making Gaffes

Is like Somalia attacking the United States for having homeless and hungry people.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. good one

exactly.

[patricia92243]

3. Gaff vs goof which is worse

[maddezmom]

4. kinda the same to me

:)

[bearfartinthewoods]

5. is this the talking point for today from the dean team memo?

two threads with the same "theory" and the problem with the theory is the pundits are NOT talking about the substance of what ever the subject was. they are talking about how gaffe prone he is. not all free press is good press if it's making you look incompetent.

[mouse7]

9. Then explain any other reason Dean v. Bush has gotten so close?

I'm not a Dean supporter. I'm ABB. I trying to figure out what going on. Denying the polls helps nobody. There are now multiple polls showing the same closure, so this is a real trend.

By the way, a dem or many Dems doing a lot better vs. Bush is a good thing, remember?

[oasis]

6. Let's review: Dean gives Osama and Saddam an ACLU foot massage

shortly after hinting that the Commander and Chief may be guilty of treason for not acting on Saudi tips about 9/11. But wait,oops, the doctor didn't really mean it.

Great strategy for the faithful, but voters in the red states may be a bit slow in catching on.

[LuminousX]

8. ACLU foot massage? Do you have a problem with the ACLU?

[oasis]

13. I make regular donations to the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Now that brings us back to the perception by some that Dr. Dean is doing their work for them. It may be helpful for the doctor to appear to his supporters as being fair to the terrorists, but it doesn't play too well on Mainstreet USA.

[creativelcro]

7. Most likely: Polls mean very little and fluctutate all over

[mouse7]

10. Multiple polls showing same trend

I don't trust single polls. However, when the same trends show up in multiple polls, something real is going on.

[Hep]

11. People who don't make gaffes

are uberpoliticians who can't be trusted or good actors. That's how people look at that. He makes mistakes, therefore he is one of us. Everyone who jumps on him for making mmistakes looks by comparison like a power hungry school marm.

I submit for evidence Another Brick in the Wall pt 2. If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding. If you missteak, you can't be president.

[Hep]

12. dupe

dupe