This is DeMoines, IA, but there is excitement going on in Appleton, WI, here in Florida, and even in Cleveland.
In Cleveland I've heard of Kerry Surrogate Paul Newman shaking hands in town, and women now refusing to wash their hands. Dang, he's still a sexy beast, I suppose.
Here in Florida I ran across about 40 Kerry supporters blanketing one the intersection of State 520 and A1A. It was stunning, from a boy named Max, nine years old and furiously waving his Kerry sign, to a young robust man waving his which said "Firefighters for Kerry." From two young schoolteachers imploring cars to honk for Kerry to a little old lady with a peace sign necklace -- all for Kerry and and all excited. How do I know? I parked my car and went out and slapped them all on the back and asked some of them their stories.
Here in Florida there is good news for them to celebrate, also. Kerry has squeeked ahead in Zogby, and there's even nicer news than that:
However, pollster John Zogby said much can be learned from the gridlock that seems to plague the race.
At this stage, incumbent Bush shouldn't be struggling in key states where 131 electoral votes are at stake, he said. Bush's struggles, he said, are Kerry's gains.
Undecided voters historically break toward the challenger at the end of a campaign, he said.
That's why he said he has no compunction about calling the race for Kerry.
"It's a hunch," said Zogby, who is known for his unconventional methods. "I'm looking at the president's numbers as an incumbent, and they're not good."
Tonight is looking good, and there was none of that predicted "Osama" bounce the pundits were calling last night.
