Say It and Make It So or Shock and Befuddle

Karl Rove, Ken Mehlman and the RNC are understandably in full court press mode with regard to the upcoming midterm elections. Much of the press appears stunned when the Team rolled out a coordinated effort, spearheaded by the President, two weeks ago claiming that not only would the Republicans retain the Senate, but the House as well. Flummoxed press members respond by saying that the polls seem to indicate otherwise. The Rove machine undeterred, pushes forward, smirking knowingly as if they know something the rest of us do not.

The responses of the press and the Democrats are interesting. I believe I've detected a pattern of sorts. First, visceral response is smug bemusement - what are these guys smokin'? Next, facts are cited (read, poll data) that suggest differently. That reaction is countered by what appear to be RNC talking points; claims of more detailed polling data and mention of the abundant cash that's going to be spent before the campaign is through. That is followed by a fear concussion grenade of quick mentions of increased taxes, S.F. Nancy and terrorism.

The reaction of the press/Democrat at that point is stunned self-doubt, is that SOB going to do it again. You can almost hear them muttering at the end of the discussion. PSYCH!! You can be sure that there's a ton of towel snapping and giddy spider barkin' goin' on in the White House locker room watching the reaction to this posturing.

Let's look at this intelligently. Rove and the RNC do have more detailed polling data including internal polls that aren't readily available to the public, so do the Democrats. That said, the fact is the races that are in play are being polled to death right now by multiple organizations. Those polls taken collectively along with the trend data tell a story. The numbers are the numbers. That is not to say the the House is a fait acompli. Even if you ain't a fan of the Rove show he deserves some credit for innovation. Tsunami, what stinking tsunami - it's just low tide.....