critical thinking skills and/or research skills.

They don't rely upon reliable sources, and they're not able to separate good information (i.e., an on-the-record comment from an official versus a story from unnamed, unspecified sources that isn't substantiated in any way). They don't understand that some people have a political agenda (Richard Clarke springs to mind) or an economic agenda, and that their words are actually repudiated by their co-workers and peers.

They are inherently distrustful of corporate America, and are willing to believe anything bad about it, no matter how sunsubstantiated.

Kerry voters also tend to be YOUNG. The 18-29 set supports Kerry at much higher margins than the 30-64 group does...DOUBLE, in fact.

That's not to discount the validity of the opinions of 18-29 year olds, but those of us who have been 18-29 know that there is a lot of life experience that many of us didn't have under our belts back in those days. Most of us weren't parents, or hadn't been parents long. We tended to be just starting out in our careers, versus having moved up the professional hierarchy. We were less educated. We weren't used to paying bills or having a mortgage. We weren't very experienced with business. We were less likely to OWN a business (very few entrepeneurs in that age group). Our views were more black/white. And those are traits that are common to many of the Kerry supporters on this board, for instance. They also haven't voted in very many presidential elections, or had to research a candidate very often. And, they've been influenced by specific campaigns targeted to frighten them into voting for Kerry by portraying Bush as corrupt and inept...in some cases, attempting to BLAME him for the 9/11 attacks, or even suggest that HE PLANNED THEM.

And, bear in mind...Bush has weathered a distorted media portrayal of his presidency. Twice as many negative stories have been aired about him as have been aired about kerry. And, though newspaper reporters and media types claim to be objective, there has been a real rush to find dirt on Bush without substantiating allegations (think the forged service memos on CBS).

Many people aren't going to take the time to research the actual facts (like on the topic of NOrth Korea where our policies in regards to the NK are, in my book, the best we've used in years).

They're just going to hear a glib soundbyte, and that's going to form their opinion.

In spite of this, however, polls still show Bush winning. Now, I may be wrong about him, but I don't think I am.

I think he's a much better president than most people in America believe. And, I think time will show this.

By the way, remember how Kerry said he'd always support the guys out in the field? This Al Qaa Qa debacle has again solidified my support for Bush because Kerry has indeed rushed to judgement ABOUT OUR TROOPS with little or no evidence. he hasn't hesitated to ruin people's military careers with unsubstantiated allegations. He's done so before, mind you. And I don't think he cares. Which is why you're going to see armed forces support for Bush in the high 70s in this election. They know that they'll be hung out to dry, like they were in Somalia, if Kerry is elected.

You can't general by opinion poll. The American public really don't have the stomach for war anymore. I shudder to think what would have happened if this generation had been in charge during the Pearl Harbor/Hitler era.

But that whether they have the stomach for it or not, it's needed.

Catz

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

Well, my bet would be on CBS. We already know that CBS is "in bed" with the Kerry campaign. They have admitted they had the story and were holding it to run Sunday night just before the election. I'm sure that the Kerry campaign has had this information just as soon as CBS got it....and the commercial ad has been in the works for some time.

This was ALL planned.

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"What exactly is this foreign policy experience?" Obama said mockingly of the New York senator. "Was she negotiating treaties? Was she handling crises? The answer is no."

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)