Bush is trying to get his message out against the biased filter of the media. He has wisely begun to focus on illuminating the contrasts between his and Gore's respective proposals. In a speech to the California Republican convention, Bush portrayed Gore as the big-government Democrat that he is. The sharper Bush can draw these contrasts, the better he will be. If they believed it themselves they wouldn't be concentrating so much energy on non-issues.
Many political scientists say it is the other way around.
A candidate's national momentum will affect his standing in the states. A minor shift in the national momentum could have major consequences in the swing states. Gore has plenty to be worried about. Bush performs best as the underdog. Keep the faith.