Is Kerry playing from the Gore playbook?

[coloradodem2005]

How do you feel about Kerry's campaigning? Do you feel like he is doing a good job or is he deciding that he does not have to deal with it, because he is running against an idiot? I thought that he was smarter in his campaigning. What do you think?

[Marvelous_Smarty]

1. Is Kerry Playing From the Gore Handbook?

Good God, I hope not! Gore took what should have been a comfortable, decisive win and blew it to where everything hinged on Florida. He fucked up, royally. Yeah, we got hosed in Florida but it never should have been close enough to where Florida would have mattered as much as it did. Blame George Bush. Blame Jeb Bush. Blame Kathleen Harris, but most of the blame falls on Gore for basically floundering through the campaign and never defining himself.

[apnu]

a rope-a-dope strategy will work well until the convention, but...

... The Kerry camp has to come out not only strong, they also have to frame this election. If they let Rove decide the issues, then a rehash of 2000 will occur.

Kerry needs to show that he's very different from * And he has to appeal to the electorate that he's strong. Though I'll draw heat from the feminists here, one fact remains about America. That is, this country responds well when our leaders show some balls. Its stupid, but presidents win every time with that approach.

* has worked overtime in the past 3 1/2 years to show his balls, literally in some cases.

Kerry and the Dems have to show a clear appealing platform, reminiscent of RFK if they want to take this thing decisively.

Only through being progressive will Kerry take this election. He's got to make people proud to be called Liberal again.

The greatest moments have come from progressiveness in US history. Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, JFK/RFK, King, X, Ike (anti-clan work) and the list goes on.

[Norquist Nemesis]

29. "He's got to make people proud to be called Liberal again."

And there you have a winner!!! He's really got to say this and be proud of it himself. None of this dismissal by saying they're labeling. Tell the people what Liberal means! Define it! Spell it out!

Then close the sale.

[Eric J in MN]

2. I don't think he's expressed his goals for America enough (nt)

nt

[Leilani]

9. I agree..

The convention really has to demonstrate what he stands for.

[JI7]

3. with millions of dollars of attack ads against him and he is either tied

or ahead in the polls. and he is breaking records in fundraising and in the crowds he is getting at rallies. so , what do you think based on that ?

and the way he announced his vp pick was one of the best things i saw .

[Leilani]

10. That is because he is not Bush...

Sorry, but most people are voting against Bush.

[JI7]

15. of course if Bush was a good president they would not want to get rid of

him.

but that doesn't change the fact that he is getting huge crowds at his rallies . those people go to see him more than just about being against bush. that's how he did things during the primary. he didn't depend on the media. but went directly to the people and it helps build ground support. and his crowds got bigger then also which is also happening now. and the reviews on his appearances are very positive also.

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. I think he's doing a "pliable" Gore impression and needs to perk up a lot

Same safe speeches. Same corporate friendly appearance. Same middle-of-the-road posturing for the "soft" Republicans, etc... except he's trying his best not to look wooden.

I hope he keeps riding these bikes, sailing, windsurfing, cycling and all that all the way through the campaign, because he's got to make sure that the smears and lies of the media are disproven by the photos and his sound bytes.

Choose Kerry Lose Bush - FUCK BUSH - Drop Bush Not Bombs!
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[Doosh]

5. Gore was playing catch up the whole campaign

and looked pretty weak up until the final month, Gore let Rove and Shrub walk all over him. We still don't know how Kerry will end up, but historically he's doing fantastic against an incumbent president. Kerry has inched ahead in battleground states and is starting to erode some of Bush's base in the south, no easy task. It's been rope a dope for a few months, now Kerry is landing a few quick jabs to a tired Bush who has spent so much energy and cash early on.

Remember, John Kerry is a fantastic closer, he may very well score a convincing win after a huge October surge.

[coloradodem2005]

7. Keep your fingers crossed on that last one.

If he is a good closer, then I hope he continues that pattern here.

[WindRavenX]

6. No, Kerry is thus so far running a better campaign

That said, he can and should be doing better, but right now, since the Convention will be in the news 24/7 for the next few weeks, Kerry is doing the right thing and laying low and letting W hurt himself.
Kerry will come out swinging- and hard- after the convention. That's traditionally when the gloves come off and all hell is let lose. Bet on Edwards going on the offensive, and count on Kerry to start being more agressive. But right now, every time W opens his mouth, he hurts himself. Why waste energy right now? Kerry is biding his time, waiting for the right moment to spring...
Bottom line, Gore and Lieberman (esp. Lieberman) were too docile- and it cost them the election. Kerry and Edwards have been more aggressive, and we haven't even seen them at their best yet. I am quite hopeful for the next few months.

[Kanary]

8. Hey, you were watching Mahrer on Leno, too, eh? ^_^

Exactly what Mahrer said about Kerry, but saying that on DU is tantamount to getting your head handed to you.

Oh well.......... I have no say in how Kerry campaigns, so it's none of my business.

We'll see how it plays out, eh?

Kanary

[Leilani]

11. With all of the money he has raised,

I wish he would hire a great speechwriter.

[Kanary]

12. That would help. What would help more.......

Is reading, digesting, and following the advice of many writers that going to the right is NOT going to be a winning strategy.

Many many people have made a very good case that it's time for the DEMs to stop "playing safe", and frame the issues in terms of the best interests of the people, instead of playing the RW game.

If he would actually do that, big changes would be made.

Independents are waiting ............

Kanary

[kiahzero]

31. Going to the right isn't a winning strategy

Going to the center is, supported by entirely too much political science research. The parties that win in multiparty states are the parties that are best able to play at being in the center. The same goes for two-party states.

Just look at 2000 - Bush didn't win by displaying his right-wingness to the world, he won by capturing the center with his "compassionate conservative" bullshit.

[Kanary]

39. There's a body of research that says otherwise

You might want to read that part sometime........

[WindRavenX]

13. Have you hear him speak in person?

He is a fantastic speechwriter. He is passionate and eloquent. He may not fit well into CNN/FOX's 5 second sound bite, but he is a TREMENDOUS speaker. Reminds me of JFK.

[Kanary]

14. Yup, for the true believers......

He's not doing much to move the independents.

Or the left.

For the same reasons.

Kanary

[WindRavenX]

17. Independents are liking Kerry

Watch for more media events after the convention. He's going to get the word out.

[JI7]

18. yes he is, he is doing very well independents

just because you may not like him doesn't mean he isn't doing well among most of them. but he is.

[Kanary]

21. What *I* like has nothing to do with it.......

So, don't make this a personal thing.

As I've posted before, there was a big article on the front page of the Sunday Denver Post a few weeks ago, interviewing independent voters. They mostly didn't like Bush, but weren't seeing much difference with Kerry.

So, I can turn it around....... just because *you* like Kerry, doesn't mean the Independents do.

See, the whole personal thing doesn't help much, does it?

:hi:

Kanary

[JI7]

23. i base what i saw on scientific polls

not on what my personal opinion is or what a few people on the street said. and i KNOW not all independents like him. but he is still doing well among most of them.

[Kanary]

26. Interesting......

DUers say "Pay no attention to the polls" when they aren't going their way, but swear by the polls if they seem to be the results they want to hear.

I haven't been paying much attention to the polls for that reason.

However, that article I mentioned echoed what I've heard from Independents in my area, and in other media.

I guess we'll find out in Nov.

In the meantime, I still think Kerry would be well-served to LISTEN to what is being said in some of those articles.

YMMV

Kanary

[Forkboy]

32. Polls are rarely scientific

and everyone would be wise to ignore them all,good or bad.

[JI7]

38. you don't totally ignore them or react to every single one of them

you look for a trend. and many polls are scientific . the polls during the primary including the exit polls were scientific and they were very close to the actual results especially in the ranking of the candidates.

you don't react based on every new poll that comes out but if there is a trend that shows long term lack of support or decrease in support then you have to do something about it.

[Forkboy]

40. I do agree that trends can be monitered

but the methodology of far too many polls is suspect,and makes me not trust any of them.For sanity's sake if nothing else :)

[sandnsea]

28. Oh horse turds

What a load. The Independents are strong for Kerry and every poll in the last month has shown that. So you really are a Kerry-hater, I honestly didn't know that earlier. But you do know how I feel about Kerry haters. About as useful as tits on a boar.

[Forkboy]

33. I get the feeling that you'd consider anyone

that doesn't have thier nose firmly entrenched in Kerry's ass to be a "Kerry-hater".

[sandnsea]

37. Nah

There's a distinct difference between making stuff up out of thin air to bash Kerry every day, or even repeating the exact same bash day after day; and expressing a unique observation every couple of weeks. Some people haven't had a unique thought in over a year.

[Forkboy]

41. "Some people haven't had a unique thought in over a year."

I can see that.

[sandnsea]

42. You're always so clever n/t

[Forkboy]

44. Only compared to the competition

[Kanary]

43. You noticed that, eh?

My nose doesn't fit there.

~~gigglesnort~~

Kanary

[emulatorloo]

47. What is political orientation of Denver Post? The area is conservative

I don't know the political orientation of the Denver Post. But I know that the area is conservative. So it would not surprise me if:

A paper in a conservative area found independents who were more likely to break for Bush than Kerry.

[emulatorloo]

46. Um, you didn't answer the question, and independents are breaking for him

Have you seen him speak in person?

I became a "true believer" **after** I saw him speak in person.

Kerry's stump speeches are great when you are there, he is full of passion, he moves people to tears, he makes people proud to be Dems.

But they don't read well on TV.

There are lots of analogies for this - something as simple as W's "hypnotic tie" - Bush wore a tie once that probably looked great in person, but was a wild pulsating psychedelic mess on TV.

Unfortunately a national campaign is all about TV. However Kerry is working on it and getting better. And fortunately, despite what the media used to tell us, Bush ain't that hot on TV either.

[Leilani]

16. No, but I have watched many of his speeches on C-Span.

Always in full, not 5 minute soundbites.

Unfortunately, in Hawaii, not much chance to hear candidates live. In fact, I have never heard a live candidate speech.

But I have certainly seen some that have moved me enormously.

Remember, most Americans will not see Kerry or Bush live.

[Pastiche423]

22. "Reminds me of JFK"

That's a joke, right?

I remember John F. Kennedy, and kerry is not even in the same hemisphere.

[WindRavenX]

24. No it's not a joke

Kerry is truly a great speaker. I compare him to JFK because he is like Kennedy in many wars, including his speeches.

[RodneyCK2]

36. He is an eloquent speaker, but...

there is a large majority that can only digest sound bite points and I think this is his weakness. He needs to be more concise for the general public.

Another problem area is the fact he repeats what he says, often. I believe he needs a speech coach in the worst way or the ADD Americans among us need to pay attention more closely. LOL

[JI7]

20. his speech writer is John Edwards' former speech writer from the primary

not sure if they are sharing them now. but he did hire Edwards' speech writer after the primary and before he named Edwards as vp. it was one of many things which led to the belief that he was going to pick edwards for vp.

[Leilani]

30. Speechwriters are not like socks...

At least not the greats.

Ted Sorenson & JFK had a mind-meld, so whatever Sorenson wrote, was something that Kennedy could have written. As a matter of fact, many people believe Sorenson wrote part of Profiles in Courage.

Peggy Noonan wrote wonderful speeches for Reagan; she had his speaking style down pat. When she wrote for Bush Sr, it was less successful.

Edwards & Kerry are like night & day...hard to see the same person writing for both.

And then there is Mario Cuomo...one of the best convention speeches ever. And I believe he wrote it.

[JI7]

35. Kerry is writing his own convention speech also

it will be interesting to see how it goes. it will be the first and only chance until the elections where he will get to speak to the entire nation with all the media focused on him for an entire speech.

[Leilani]

45. I truly hope he scores a home run with bases loaded!

We need for him to do well...this election is crucial.

I agree it will so very important, because many people don t know him.

From what I can see, George Bush has lost the trust of the voters, but now, Kerry has to make the sale.

I know many people who are talking about not voting; Kerry needs to give them a reason to get out & vote for him.

[zmdem]

19. Giving Bush enough rope

It looks to me like Sen. Kerry is largely letting Pres. Bush wallow in the quicksand of his Iraq and economic policies. He is assuming that the base on each side is already determined in their vote. The small swing vote will go to him because Iraq won't improve enough to justify Bush's war before the election and the perception vs. reality of the improving economy will favour him.

This could be a good stratergy, but it has risks. Bush can control events much more than Kerry. It also leaves the swing voter with doubts about Kerry's leadership ability. If public perception of Iraq and the economy shifts to the positive, it leaves Kerry high and dry. The election is more a referendum on Bush than it is a look at Kerry.

Frankly, if I were Kerry, I would want to change that dynamic a bit. Definitely emphasise the Bush referendum thing, but also be more agressive in promoting my own positive agenda.

[Oddman]

25. Did you watch Bill Maher on the tonight show tonight?

He said the same thing - we are dipping into the "If we don't say anything it can't be used against us" form of campaigning. We are so optimistic and everything is sunny.

Let's hope Kerry's speech at the DNC formulates an ideology and starts to define the real start of this race - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I want optimism but I want toughness too.


piece of shite

[elperromagico]

27. I suspect Kerry is holding his punches until after the convention.

The convention will be the first moment when Kerry gets a great deal of undivided attention from the media; he will be able to express his goals and allow the American people to get to know him better.

Thus far, he has been playing something akin to rope-a-dope/the-tortoise-and-the-hare with Bush. Bush's attacks have for the most part failed to stick; the election remains rather close, with Kerry either in the lead or within the margin of error. Barring some major foul-up, JK is going to come out of the convention with a bounce of several points and an even more sizable advantage in the Electoral College.

I cannot be certain, but I suspect that the Kerry campaign will begin to go negative, questioning the Bush record, while continuing to highlight JK's goals for the future. Bush's problem seems to be that he went negative too early; unless he has some really tremendous bombshell for Kerry, it would seem he's run out of material. Kerry doesn't have that problem. He hasn't played all of his cards yet.

[Forkboy]

34. On the surface yes

But I think Kerry is better prepared for the repub onslaught that will come after the convention.Gore seemed to be caught by suprise by the ferocity of attacks against him.I dont think Kerry will follow that pattern.