So, you know it tears me up inside to be the bearer of bad news for the Bush campaign, but there's little other news to pass along these days. First it was the Muslim Americans, now the Cuban Americans:
Bush's support among Cuban-Americans in south Florida—about 80 percent of whom backed him in 2000—shows signs of eroding. A March Florida International University poll, for instance, showed that only 56 percent of the state's Cuban-Americans planned to vote for Bush, with 25 percent undecided. While the vast majority will almost certainly back Bush in November, even a shift of 5 percent could tip the balance if Florida is a close race.
Who's next, the Religious Right?
Things are in flux. The current situation certainly favors Kerry but all can turn around in an instant.
I've been particularly cautious in trumpeting good news since the networks declared Florida for Gore in 2000. I promply declared to my wife that it was impossible for Bush to win and not half of the electoral votes had been won. Boy, was I wrong.
Posted by: Fabius | May 27, 2004 at 01:34 PM
Is that likely voters, or Cubans generally?
Posted by: asdf | May 27, 2004 at 01:36 PM
asdf, now what kind of killjoy, partypooping question is that?
Is that likely voters, or Cubans generally?
It's general, I think, according to this other report:
And you're right Fabius, unhatched chicken counting never comes to any good. But there's been so little good news lately, I just wanted to share...
Posted by: Edward | May 27, 2004 at 01:55 PM
Who's next, the Religious Right?
Oh, don't worry, every time he sniffs them getting wobbly, he'll just shout "Federal Marriage Amendment!"
See, I can criticize Bush when I want to. :P
Posted by: Phil | May 27, 2004 at 02:11 PM
See, I can criticize Bush when I want to. :P
And it gets even easier with practice...now repeat after me: "President John Kerry....President John Kerry"...doesn't that have a nice soothing ring to it?
No?
Well don't blame me, I voted for Edwards...
Posted by: Edward | May 27, 2004 at 02:24 PM
Don't worry Edward, you'll get your wish, just as VP instead. My guess is the announcement comes in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Posted by: wilfred | May 27, 2004 at 02:33 PM
Wilfred,
It is looking like it'll be Edwards, but I wouldn't mind a truly inspired VP choice instead (so long as he doesn't have Gore's flair for an "inspired" choice).
Posted by: Edward | May 27, 2004 at 02:36 PM
Who's next, the Religious Right?
Yes
Posted by: asdf | May 27, 2004 at 04:17 PM
Not to spoil your party too much, but aren't the other polls in Florida showing a really tight race? If Bush is tight when he has a historically low portion of the Cuban, what will it look like if he can get back to the norm?
Posted by: Joe | May 27, 2004 at 04:20 PM
You're absolutely right Joe. Any celebrating is totally premature. I'm just poking fun. Bush can certainly consider winning Florida within his grasp.
Posted by: Edward | May 27, 2004 at 04:23 PM
Good point Joe. There's at least a one point "cheat the black voters" margin that we have to take into account.
Posted by: asdf | May 27, 2004 at 04:53 PM
Edward, poke away. I'm just saying that there remains a dark side to these 'bad polling numbers for Bush' for your guy. If after the last month the voters aren't ready to commit to Kerry, wtf will it take?
asdf, the 'cheat the black vote' is only a defensive maneuver to offset the 'dead guy voting, twice' tactic.
Posted by: Joe | May 27, 2004 at 05:24 PM
asdf, the 'cheat the black vote' is only a defensive maneuver to offset the 'dead guy voting, twice' tactic.
Ah, the moral clarity of the right.
Posted by: asdf | May 27, 2004 at 06:34 PM
Ah, the inability to spot sarcasm of the left.
Posted by: Joe | May 28, 2004 at 12:04 PM