Should DU start an organized effort to influence Kerry's campaign?

[jpgray]

And if you have specific ideas on how we should do it, feel free to elucidate. I was thinking about something along the lines of an agreed on general message that we would all write or call in through our own personal perspectives. A couple dribbling emails from DU won't make as big of a difference as a few hundred or a thousand--so the things we can really get together on could receive a more concentrated push than otherwise would be possible. What do you think?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I voted "no"

Simply because getting the people here on the same page is going to be one hell of a good time... :eyes:

[jpgray]

3. For example, we all agree he should point out Bush's coffin hypocrisy

That Bush would show the flag-draped remains of a 9/11 victim in his campaign ads, yet deny the dead soldiers coming home any coverage is terrible in its hypocrisy, and the Kerry camp seemed at sea pointing out this simple and very effective parallel. In these instances, a little infusion of DU accepted wisdom might turn the trick.

[sus]

2. my first thought is fundraising

and that seems to be what the Kerry campaign is asking for in all the emails they send me.

money, money, money.

another is organizing some mass letters to the editor. this is a very well informed (and literate) group. let's write some letters!

[mdguss]

6. My view is:

That feedback is good, but I'm unsure of the legality of starting a movement to influence Kerry's campaign. DU seems to be an independent group. As I understand it, Independent groups and campaigns are strictly forbidden from coordinating with each other.

[Nite Owl]

4. It would be nice if they could have someone from the

campaign that would post to us here. All they have to do is say, Write to ..." and we'd all be on it. Someone, a contact person that would listen to our ideas, what we want said and emphasized in the campaign. The e-mails we get from them are so general.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. The conventional wisdom at DU is so often wrong

would it really be a good thing if we 'influenced' Kerry's campaign?

[jpgray]

7. Some of it is wrong, other times it is on the money

In terms of dredging up mistakes of Bush to be used in counterattacks, I would say no one is our superior. I wouldn't suggest DU as a strategic planner or message fine-tuner, but I think our combined knowledge of Bush failures and the general context of his actions trumps just about any other organization out there.

[sangha]

9. We're good at pointing out Bush* mistakes

but as a whole, DU is very bad when it comes to critiquing Dems. According to DU "wisdom", Kerry has endorsed Bush* for President in 2004.

[sandnsea]

8. How about influencing the vote????

What good is influencing a campaign if you influence it to say things that are going to cause people to vote for Bush?

George Bush. yes or no. that's it. that's all. that's the question.