Deja Dukakis All Over Again

Deja Dukakis All Over Again
by Joe Mitchell

It was a telling image on my ritual six-mile run on a glorious Sunday morning through and around the Curtis Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze from the west, autumn was definitely in the works. I was greeted more than once with, "Great day for a run!" Countless, "Morning!" and "Good Morning" exaltations met with my equally enthusiastic and very Southwestern, "Howzit goin'?" or "Hey There!" It's difficult to suppress tinges of joy around such rampant contentment.

The adjoining Curtis Park and Land Park neighborhoods sit just south of Sacramento's inner urban core that is comprised of the Downtown Business District (which includes the State Capitol) and the Midtown and Alkali Flats residential areas. Curtis Park and Land Park contrast the grit of the urban core neighborhoods. They are decidedly middle and upper-middle class, filled with well-kept homes built in the 40's and 50's. From all the flowerbeds and manicured lawns, it's obvious the residents of these districts have the money and time to work around the yard on the weekend. Some may even leave the work to professionals. The ambiance is nice, quiet, and yuppie- white yuppie. Volvos and Saabs dominate the driveways, with the occasional BMW or Mercedes dotting the landscape. If you haven't guessed, Curtis Park and Land Park are your typical urban Democratic strongholds.

Despite less disposable income, Midtown and Alkali Flats are Democratic strongholds, too. Like Curtis Park and Land Park, "Kerry/Edwards 2004" signs proliferate as do bumper stickers. However, the grittier areas lack the rare "Bush/Cheney 2004" yard sign or bumper sticker, and the more sparkling areas lack the creative exhortations of "Re-Defeat Bush in 2004" in various formats, including spray-painted graffiti.

Belying all this enthusiasm for Kerry or against Bush in all four of these central city neighborhoods, it appears that at least one of the wealthier members of the Democratic Party may be aware of the less than auspicious November on the horizon.

The image: on an immaculate lawn, surrounded by shrubs and roses, a Kerry/Edwards sign sat right in the middle of raging sprinklers. The thick, glossy paper sign was creaking under the weight of all the water it had absorbed. It was looking quite weather-beaten from repeated dousing, looking almost as bad as Mr. Kerry himself. Whether subconscious, accidental, or intentional, the message was clear: Kerry is all washed-up.

Kerry has been battling on his heals all summer, and the hard-line tack of the Republican Convention may have left him on a standing eight-count if not wallowing on the canvas. Despite all the accusations and memos about his poor National Guard record that the Democrats throw at Bush, the president is absolutely undaunted. Worse, Kerry is looking weaker and weaker. He looks more resigned to defeat than frustrated by his inability to throw the Republican war machine off its footing.

The Swift Boat Veterans, no matter how outlandish and mean-spirited their slagging of Kerry's Vietnam record, have hit a home run that would make Joseph Goebbels smile. Kerry has been Willie Horton-ed. They've succeeded not because Kerry is a liar or an unworthy war hero, but because Kerry is unable to counter their incredulous lie with the truth. The Swifties are louder and clearer with their lies. Kerry is drowned out in the din.

At this rate, Kerry and Edwards will be lucky to win New York, California, Massachusetts and Hawaii. It's deja Dukasis all over again. Looks like we'll get to throw Hillary to the lions in 2008 after all.

*OPINION*
	Deja Dukakis All Over Again by Joe Mitchell It was a telling image on my ritual six-mile run on a glorious Sunday morning through and around the Curtis Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze from the west, autumn was definitely in the works. I was greeted more than once with, "Great day for a run!" Countless, "Morning!" and "Good Morning" exaltations met with my equally enthusiastic and very Southwestern, "Howzit goin'?" or "Hey There!" It's difficult to suppress tinges of joy around such rampant contentment. The adjoining Curtis Park and Land Park neighborhoods sit just south of Sacramento's inner urban core that is comprised of the Downtown Business District (which includes the State Capitol) and the Midtown and Alkali Flats residential areas. Curtis Park and Land Park contrast the grit of the urban core neighborhoods. They are decidedly middle and upper-middle class, filled with well-kept homes built in the 40's and 50's. From all the flowerbeds and manicured lawns, it's obvious the residents of these districts have the money and time to work around the yard on the weekend. Some may even leave the work to professionals. The ambiance is nice, quiet, and yuppie- white yuppie. Volvos and Saabs dominate the driveways, with the occasional BMW or Mercedes dotting the landscape. If you haven't guessed, Curtis Park and Land Park are your typical urban Democratic strongholds. Despite less disposable income, Midtown and Alkali Flats are Democratic strongholds, too. Like Curtis Park and Land Park, "Kerry/Edwards 2004" signs proliferate as do bumper stickers. However, the grittier areas lack the rare "Bush/Cheney 2004" yard sign or bumper sticker, and the more sparkling areas lack the creative exhortations of "Re-Defeat Bush in 2004" in various formats, including spray-painted graffiti. Belying all this enthusiasm for Kerry or against Bush in all four of these central city neighborhoods, it appears that at least one of the wealthier members of the Democratic Party may be aware of the less than auspicious November on the horizon. The image: on an immaculate lawn, surrounded by shrubs and roses, a Kerry/Edwards sign sat right in the middle of raging sprinklers. The thick, glossy paper sign was creaking under the weight of all the water it had absorbed. It was looking quite weather-beaten from repeated dousing, looking almost as bad as Mr. Kerry himself. Whether subconscious, accidental, or intentional, the message was clear: Kerry is all washed-up. Kerry has been battling on his heals all summer, and the hard-line tack of the Republican Convention may have left him on a standing eight-count if not wallowing on the canvas. Despite all the accusations and memos about his poor National Guard record that the Democrats throw at Bush, the president is absolutely undaunted. Worse, Kerry is looking weaker and weaker. He looks more resigned to defeat than frustrated by his inability to throw the Republican war machine off its footing. The Swift Boat Veterans, no matter how outlandish and mean-spirited their slagging of Kerry's Vietnam record, have hit a home run that would make Joseph Goebbels smile. Kerry has been Willie Horton-ed. They've succeeded not because Kerry is a liar or an unworthy war hero, but because Kerry is unable to counter their incredulous lie with the truth. The Swifties are louder and clearer with their lies. Kerry is drowned out in the din. At this rate, Kerry and Edwards will be lucky to win New York, California, Massachusetts and Hawaii. It's deja Dukasis all over again. Looks like we'll get to throw Hillary to the lions in 2008 after all.