This is a short diary but I want to put this out there and hear what others think.
 
I keep looking at the polls and all I can think of is "Identifying with the aggressor." For those who aren't into psych stuff this term was created by Anna Freud to describes a defense mechanism that describes the behavior of some victims of abuse. Often, when a person is chronically abused or witnesses abuse, rather than accepting the status of victim, they "identify with the abuser" so that they feel strong. They ally themselves psychologically with "the strong one."
 This is very common, as admitting to having been victimized is very difficult and often causes shame and guilt.

So, with that in mind, back to politics.

Here is a link about defense mechanisms

This should be viewed as research.
As I watched the McCain ads and then saw the change in the polls, the fever, the chills, the abdominal pain and the "oh crap" feeling started; I had been struck by the 2000 Gore-Bush anxiety virus. Instead of just listening to the pundits explain the significance, I decided that it was time to see what the research says about negative campaigning and campaign ads. Do they make a difference? Are they effective? Does McCain have a chance of success if he continues to use them? Is it wise for Obama to refrain from using them? Here are the results. It's a long one.

I have distilled the basic conclusions of each and I have included a more detailed explanation if you wish more information and the source. The first set of numbered items correspond to the items that follow below. Just match them.

I have made my own conclusions about the research but I would really be interested in what others think; thus, I have not given mine. They’re in my head rattling around looking for some logic and common sense. So, does Obama have anything to worry about? Should he join McCain in negative campaigning?

Just a little break from the constant "Obama VP Obama VP" diaries...

My name is Brandon, I am 18 and live in Baltimore, MD...

Lately, I have been mainly a 'lurker' here, reading diaries and comments without posting any diaries (and few comments) of my own. I have been following Dkos (check my UID) since before the 2004 elections, so have been here for a while....

McCain and the Republicans like to say that Obama is just a good speech giver, but not a true leader.

We all know that's absolutely wrong - Obama's policies are worlds better than McCain's and he's a natural leader.

BUT, the DNC can't come soon enough: We need a speech!

http://www.zogby.com/...

This is a question worth asking.

There are reasons for this. It might be interesting to understand.

One has to ask, why after 8 years of George Bush, Dick Cheney and the Republican administration that led America into a war that has killed 1 million Iraqi's and over 4 thousand Americans (with countless injured), is John McCain, an advocate of the war that most Americans appear to be against,  leading in the polls or even close in the polls.

Is it because of McCain is perceived by some Americans to have a better plan for the economy? The economy and the war in Iraq are tied together through oil and the cost of fuel... and in many other areas. Continuation of "wars" in the mideast are not good for the economy from the point of view of the majority of Americans. Why are Americans, who are seemingly against the war and against current economic policies, and who disapprove of George Bush - leaning in favor of John McCain, according to the polls.?

It has become a constant theme in McCain’s speeches.  Taxes are not too low; spending is too high.  If we just eliminate “pork barrel spending” we can cut taxes and balance the budget – “no pain, all gain.”  Republicans have long loved claiming that the budget can be balanced without any sacrifice on the part of anyone.  In order to make his point, McCain has taken to constantly referring to 3 million dollars spent to study the DNA of bears in Montana as an example of government waste.  So what are the facts about this study?

Someone who can call out to the throngs of disaffected and disenfranchised people; Democrat or Republican, black, white, brown, red, yellow, rich or poor, young or old.  Those who are completely and utterly fed up with the current political system.

The revolving door in the White House has ruined politics, ruined countless lives due to the malfeasance of the people in charge, ruined the hopes of lower middle class and lower class peoples who want to better themselves, ruined our national reputation among our allies overseas, ruined our ability to back up our words with actions when need be.

What we are witnessing today isn't the result of George W. Bush's mistakes and utter disregard for the rule of law.  On the contrary, this country has been on a slow downward decline and it began not just 8 years ago, but over 40 years ago when Nixon was running for office in 1968.  

As you know.. This election has been close as heck.. A big Obama lead has slowly crumbled as people turn to their old fears of terra terra terra and greed and want of instant gratification..

I have noticed the Republican fans running from forum to forum touting democratic weakness, I have seen ads attacking on taxes and so on an so forth..

So while I had shunned Obama and supported Clinton after he backed down and voted for telecom immunity.. McCain's recent boldness has forced me back into the game..

I will discuss my views on the situation and what I think we need to do about it..

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DOOD. Whr R U?

wtf?

what u mean, wtf? we r takng off!

wtf?

oil rig. chopper. etc.

FAHK! that was 2day?

nvrmnd. Im going. u owe me.

tx.

Up. Down. Swing Around. Poll Dancing Explained.

Obama's in trouble. Registered voters are now switching to McCain. Will he be back up by Friday?

Or will he drop again?

If you're like me and you follow the daily tracking pulls such as the Gallup and the Rassmussen poll, you're likely to get confused. How is it that people change their minds so often? I know that despite my candidate's missteps I don't change my mind...unless of course it's revealed that he slept with his videographer or something.

Sir:
I have read the transcript of your speech before the VFW. I have seen videos of your delivery. The things you said were excellent, with one glaring exception. But your delivery was disappointing.

There were many moments when you sounded tentative, rather than forceful, as though you were involved in a debate society competiton instead of fighting for the future of this country. You were too calm, too smooth, too gentlemanly.When you were speaking of the way our vets are being treated, we should have heard righteous outrage in your voice, controlled, directed anger. It wasn't there.

But your biggest error? The way you spoke of John McCain.

BENEATH THE SPIN    • ERIC L. WATTREE

The Crabs Are On The Move

Well, they’re at it again, y’all.  A small minority of Black people are hard at work doing everything they can to undermine the Black community.  This time it’s in the guise of trying to drag down Barack Obama by promoting Cynthia McKinney’s dead-on-arrival candidacy with the Green Party.

I know many of you guys will say, polls don't mean anything but in case anybody hasn't noticed, John McCain has managed to shore up the conservative base and will surely pick up a hard right neoconservative to run with him.  While Obama has tried to move more toward the center and gather some of the middle vote, McCain has gone hard right while still portraying himself as a leader of change when it comes to alternative energy as well as a proponet of domestic drilling.  Attacking Obama's strengths and going negative has also projected McCain into a 5% national lead (and you guys still want to play nice) and allowed McCain to trump what should be our biggest card, the economy..

From www.courant.com

Lieberman A Possible Running Mate For McCain

   The NRA gave him an F. He is endorsed by advocates of abortion rights and gay rights. And, oh, yeah, he was Al Gore's running mate and remains a registered Democrat.

   With a deep laugh, even Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has questioned if he would be a smart vice presidential pick for his friend, Republican John McCain.

   But the Associated Press and the Politico, a respected online news site, each reported Tuesday that Lieberman, a self-proclaimed "independent Democrat," remains among McCain's potential running mates.

   And those stories already are riling the right. A horrified Rush Limbaugh told his listeners that he considered the reports on Lieberman to be a serious trial balloon.

"It's not a head fake, apparently, it's a serious float," Limbaugh said. "McCain's trying to gauge, take the temperature of delegates to the convention and these high donors. This is tough because I like Joe Lieberman a lot. He's a fine guy."

There has been a lot of handwringing around here about polls.  Let me tell you Obama is polling well giving the amount of negativity directed towards him.

Obama is leading polls nationally because the times have changed.  McCain has consolidated his base and yet despite a 10 percent consolidation advantage still trails.

Obama and campaign, if you happen upon this venue, I and if any others would have something pressing to say to you, one off the top of my head would be, would you please Senator Obama stop prefacing your conversations in reference to McCain with praising his heroic service in the military. PLEASE! This contender does not deserve the respect that you think he is due. See, when a contender (I am trying hard to find names to define him that are G-rated)has gone 360 on you and is in full attack mode and is unrelenting in attacking not only your patriotism, but your valor and respect. He does not earn your respect to call him a American Hero. An American Hero would not Attack

Obama should start using a simple attack line.

So, once again, McCain, your campaign staffer Michael Goldfarb decides to take a swipe at Daily Kos by saying of us:

It may be typical of the pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd to disparage a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement, but most Americans have the humility and gratitude to respect and learn from the memories of men who suffered on behalf of others.

How fucking condescending. And yes, I know you made Mikey apologize, but I'm not done with him yet.