Bowing to political realities, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has canceled plans to begin broadcasting television commercials in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana and the perennial battleground of Missouri.
The decision to shrink his political playing field reduces Kerry's strategic options - at least for now - in the homestretch of the campaign. George W. Bush won all four states in 2000, and Kerry can't win the White House without taking a state or two from the Republican incumbent.
While pulling back from some states that Bush carried, Kerry is still strongly competing in several GOP-leaning battlegrounds, including Ohio, Florida, Colorado and Nevada.
Ads were scheduled to begin airing Oct. 5 in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri as part of a $5 million investment through Nov. 2, but campaign advisers concluded Kerry isn't doing well enough in the states to justify the cost.
Matt's Chat
As Blogs for Bush's Mark Noonan is fond of saying: it is a great day to be alive, American, and Republican. But as Han Solo would say: "Great kid, don't get cocky!"Like the recent poll data, we have to take this news with a grain of salt. There is still plenty of work to do. And remember If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat so Bush can't just beat John Kerry, he needs to crush him in this election.
Mark's Remarks
Yes, in the very same state in which they pulled ads, they held a fund raiser the same day in Arizona for Democrats. That money will be used to fund advertising in other states. Liberals are so wrapped in hate they don't mind getting their money taken to use in another state. To make matters worse, I just heard audio on the radio from the possible first lady in which she was asked why Kerry is lagging in the polls, particularly in Arizona. Te-RAY-za said firstly that he is not behind, which is false. Then when someone pressed her about Arizona, she said "one state does not make up the whole state." (wish I had the source, but I heard the audio on a newstalk broadcast). First of all, what the **** is that supposed to mean? I know, libs, it means that one state is not the whole race. However, she said this while speaking IN ARIZONA TO ARIZONANS. Isn't that a great message to send: your state doesn't matter, your state is meaningless and we are going to spend your money elsewhere? Sheer Genius!!!!
