Jesse Jackson Says Kerry Campaign Has Failed To Rally Democrats' Base
In an example of the extent to which dissatisfaction with John Kerry's campaign may be spreading, the Rev. Jesse Jackson strongly took exception with what he termed "distancing from the base." Jackson went further than most Democrats who have criticized Kerry's strategy, in the process reviving earlier complaints by African American groups that the campaign was not inclusive enough. In an appearance on CNN's Inside Politics, Jackson said, "Now, the point is Mr. Kerry is reaching out, but he needs more than a shake-up. A shake-up cannot just be a vanilla shake. It has to be a bonding of the base. And that shake-up must be some renowned leaders of labor and blacks and Latinos and peace activists because that's where the base is." Jackson's remarks come as the Congressional Black Caucus foundation begins its 34th annual legislative conference. Roll Call reports the CBC event includes "added political punch with a visit from Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry and running mate John Edwards and star power in the form of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Bill Cosby." The conference "is expected to draw 30,000 participants, including House Members, state lawmakers and prominent black officials." This year's conference "is called 'Defining the Moment and the Movement,' a title organizers say fits its goal of influencing the outcome of the 2004 election and the future of core domestic and foreign policy issues critical to minority Americans."
Zogby Criticizes Time, Newsweek Polls Showing 11 Point Bush Lead.
In a Financial Times column also published on Zogby.com (9/7), pollster John Zogby sharply criticized the methodology used for the latest Newsweek poll, noting the survey's sample of registered voters included 38% Republicans, 31% Democrats, and 31% independents. Zogby says there is "no evidence anywhere to suggest that Democrats will only represent 31% of the total vote this year." While this issue may appear to be somewhat arcane, Zogby explains that President Bush's 54%-43% lead over John Kerry in Newsweek survey is likely magnified by a sample skewed toward the Republican respondents. Zogby also questions whether the Time survey, which shows Bush leading Kerry 52%-41%, is similarly skewed. Zogby says his own survey has Bush "leading by 2 points in the simple head-to-head match up – 46% to 44%. Add in the other minor candidates and it becomes a 3 point advantage for the President – 46% to 43%. This is no small achievement. The President was behind 50% to 43% in my mid-August poll and he essentially turned the race around by jumping 3 points as Mr. Kerry lost 7 points. Impressive by any standards." Zogby's own "polls use a party weight of 39% Democrat, 35% Republican and 26% Independent." Zogby concludes that it "simply is not an 11 point race. It just isn't."
