SFGate: Kerry's problem: stuck in neutral

[Larkspur]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/26/EDGGG5VKNO1.DTL

THE LATEST round of polls, coming on the crest of a wave of extraordinarily bad news for President Bush, ought to make one point abundantly clear to Sen. John Kerry.

He is not going to win by merely tapping public disgust with the policies and missteps of the Bush administration. There may be a legion of Americans who are motivated beyond words to toss Bush out of the White House, but it does not -- at this juncture anyway -- appear large enough to produce the required 270 electoral votes.

Kerry is going to have to win over a large contingent of swing voters, many of whom are giving Bush the benefit of the doubt even as the Iraq war festers, the 9/11 hearings reveal an administration asleep at the switch and the economy sputters in many places, including here. Kerry is going to have to show those voters that he can do a better job of fighting terrorism, navigating the U.S. out of Iraq and restoring prosperity.

He is going to have to do it by leading, not hedging.

And he is not doing it now.
<SNIP>

...Whether the issue is the release of his war records or a replaying of his 1971 testimony against the war, Kerry exudes an odd discomfort with his past.

President Bush certainly has his share of policy reversals, along with personal experiences he would just as soon forget. But, as of the moment anyway, many Americans, for all their misgivings, are ready to give him another four years.

It will take a bolder John Kerry to change that dynamic.

[cyclezealot]

1. I agree with this summary

and felt that way before New Hampshire..I find Kerry dull. Always have...Could not understand what his attraction was.
I do not attack Kerry out of glee.Hopefully , he will get some backbone..Stick to the principals of which polls showed Democratic voters favored in the primaries-even those who voted for Kerry.
Kerry need be coached by Ted Kennedy..Need a new speech writer. Adhere to positons that will energize his Democratic progressive base.
Hope this is constructive. I disagree with Kerry on Iraq, Trade, Healthcare. Can't get too exicited when he says things I don't like
Latest example of Kerry letting us down. Decides not to oppose Negorpointe as Ambassador to Iraq. this guy is a thug...Helped in formation of Central American Death squads and laundering of Iran Contra money.
Way to sway voters . Expose Bush on Iraq sweet heart deals..Good, god, Kevin Phillips has had the moxie to. Yet Kerry has not the courage. To sway voters Bush is wrong, Kerry must show that Bush's policies are a disaster in Iraq or whereever.
This election will center on whether Iraq was a mistake and how Bush handled it...If you believe Iraq will futher Terrorism, we need convince the US public... The current insurrection is Iraq should be enough fuel to make that statment. Should we convince the Nation Bush's leadership in Iraq is fine, then that will be the deciding factor in this election.

[jobycom]

2. Bullshit. Ifr he gets any bolder they'll put him in jail

The problem is 100% the media in this case. I've watched, heard and read brilliant speeches from Kerry, ranging from detailed policy declarations to angry tirades against the murdering slander machine that is the Republican party.

The media does not cover it. They start off with headlines such as "Marines in Fallujah fight like lions!" or "Insurgents being driven back in Fallujah." Every story the major media outl;ets present is carefully crafted to make Bush look good, and to ignore any hint of his absolute failure. THAT's what we have to battle.

Kerry's not stuck in neutral. His race is not being televised. The next Moveone rally needs to be in the doorsteps of CNN and the NYT.

[jobycom]

3. Can anyone tell who wrote the editorial?

I'm going senile in my late 30s, I guess, but I can't find a byline to this story.

[Catfight]

4. I totally agree with this analogy

Kerry continues to get sucked into pointless distractions regarding his past. He appears to me void of conviction, void of standing solid, whether that persona is appearing as a cranky old man or not. I want a cranky leader who won't stand for the childish ruling of this world by Bush. Clinton said it best, "like children who got their inheritance to early."

Understandably, I don't think Kerry has to indulge in every whimsical Bush distraction, but he should answer the questions quickly and then bring up the disturbing contrast of Bush. Starting with Bush's inability to lead without Cheney, Bush's inability to testify under oath, Bush's inability to open his government to the people to decide if Bush has been full of chicanery or not.

Then Kerry needs to tell America he will lead, he will investigate all the areas of Bush's administration until America is satisfied the truth prevailed. That's the number one reason I want another administration in the WH, so I can have the truth. And Bush can be held accountable for his malfeasance.

[Name removed]

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[MISSDem]

6. Kerry needs to talk to Bill Clinton and fast. Surely he has more

charisma than he is showing. And don't tell me it doesn't matter. He seems to have been afflicted
with the same thing that Al Gore had - being generic or something, maybe boring. They say he is really
funny (in real life) and charming. Where is it? His advisors and cabinet will help him with all of the other stuff;
let us see some passion.