Notes: Karl Rove has George W. Bush tossing red meat by the carcass to his right-wing base at a frenzied pace. Rove believes that you win elections on the back of an energized base that turns out to vote. He also thinks it's a waste to spend your efforts on voters who are lost to you.

Bush is repeatedly calling John Kerry a liberal for one purpose: to give energize his base. The word "liberal" doesn't sound bad to my ears, but to Bush's right-wing and evangelical base it sounds like he's calling Kerry a foul curse word. Regardless, "liberal" is not a four-letter word. The risk in the strategy of devoting all Bush's effort to energizing his base is in alienating undecided, moderate voters.

10.24.04

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