No matter how humble Kerry appears tonight at the debate, the press is already trying to paint his campaign as "overconfident"...this meme will be used to add dramatic texture to the post-debate story i.e. when the press declares an unexpected Bush "victory".
The Note:
ABC's George Stephanopoulos said "Democrats are having a hard time hiding how confident they are."
ABC's Dan Harris closed his package saying "there is a slight concern" in the Kerry camp that Kerry "could be overconfident" tonight.
NBC's Norah O'Donnell noted that Kerry advisors have "changed their spin since the last debate -- now they are going for pre-debate momentum, sounding almost overconfident."
On "American Morning" Bush-Cheney Communications Director Nicolle Devenish belittled the Kerry camp for "admiring their feathers" and talking up their candidate's debate performance when that's not what the American people really care about.