Kerry prepares for Meet the Press

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/kerry_talk_show

<<Russert went to the White House in February for a similar program with President Bush (news - web sites). That show was taped the day before its broadcast; Kerry's appearance on Sunday will be live. >>

[LittleApple81]

1. So, why the difference in treatment????? n/t

[KissMyAsscroft]

2. The difference is..

Bush had it pretaped and still managed to look like a fucking bumbling idiot. That Meet the Press with Bush was notoriously bad.

[muchacho]

3. man...

I can't wait for that debate.

[LittleApple81]

4. Well, if it is good for the goose it should be good for the gander.

If Bush could have questions with no follow up, have the interview taped (and, I am sure, edited) and still look like an idiot, then Kerry should be given the same chance. I don't think he will come out as an idiot, but treatment should be the same.

[Lefty48197]

5. It's time for Kerry to look Presidential.

Others have been encouraging him to be a pit bull and attack Bush, but I think It's time for Kerry to start acting Presidential, and to stay above the fray. It appears that the American people have enough problems with Bush, that they don't really need anybody to explain what the problem is. They just want to know what the alternative is.
Kerry knows this, and so does Russert. Don't be surprised (Kerry) if Russert tries to bait you into looking less than Presidential. Don't fall for it!

[Voltaire99]

7. Who is that going to persuade?

"Looking presidential" is a useful phrase, even if the notions that underlie it belong to an era whose rules have been largely rewritten. Would you say Bush has looked presidential? And yet his popularity has survived staggering failures, crises, deceptions and obvious floundering.

No, Bush has excelled at braying and chest-thumping. His put-on tough guy act goes ever exceedingly well. His speechwriters, spoonfeeding him paragraph after paragraph of delusional grandeur, understand the American psyche: it wants pomp, swagger, confidence, and almost maniacal certainty. It also wants a large dose of seeming innocence.

If he wants to appear presidential, Kerry would be advised to put a hungry rat in his underwear before the interview and gnash his teeth a lot during it. Stay monosyllabic. Avoid sounding brainy. Mention God often. Talk about destroying enemies. And say the other guy's a bum who's to blame for all our problems.

That is the recipe in the post-democratic, post-rational era. I very much doubt Kerry can hack it.

[Lefty48197]

8. The American people are looking for a candidate that appears Presidential

Apparently the voters long for the good old days. I'm quite convinced that the voters are looking for a mature Presidential candidate, a thoughtful, rational, steady, and dependable candidate. An angry combative candidate will lose this year, I'm sure.

[robbedvoter]

15. "Look" presidential? Like Raygun? Or martin Sheen? WTF?

Are we playing games here? What good old days are you talking about? maybe he should put on a Washington powdered wig then? A Lincoln top hat? What are you talking about?

[SteveG]

6. The truth will set you free

The simple reason that *'s interview was pretaped, and Kerry's won't be, it that Kerry doesn't need to be scripted. Kerry has the ability to talk off the cuff, * doesn't. If * is presented with a question, he needs somebody else to write down the answer.... last weeks alleged Press Conference proved that.

[fearnobush]

9. Kerry is at his best off the cuff. He is personable, easy to understand

and comes off like he could be one of your good friends.

[Leilani]

10. Kerry is many good things, but personable?

Kerry is smart, thoughtful, well informed, but most people find him aloof, standoffish, & I cannot relate to him as a friend.

I don t relate to him personally, & I think that is his biggest weakness as a politician.

[Speed8098]

11. Then you've never met him

I was walking through the Cleveland airport last year on my way to a connecting flight when I almost ran smack into John Kerry.

We talked a moment about his candidacy and the failure of the * administration. The whole conversation only lasted 5 or 10 minutes, but I felt like I was talking with an old friend.

It has been my experience that JFK is indeed personable.

[molly]

12. Yep - he is dynamic in person

fast on his feet and every person's man.

[frank frankly]

14. JK is very charismatic in person.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=502186

[Leilani]

17. No, I have never met him

And the problem is most Americans have not met him either.

In 2000, I heard Al Gore was a really funny terrific guy, but he did not project that image on TV.

[MaineDem]

13. I find Kerry much more "personable" in person

He comes across on tv as stiff but in a live in-person atmosphere I've found him much more at ease, much more friendly.

A dedicated Republican woman here in town came up to me the other day. SHe said "You're the head of the Democrats around here, right? I want to change to your party. I'm sick to death of what Bush is doing. I met John Kerry a few years ago and I liked him immediately. He'll make a great President."

I swear that actually happened last Wednesday. I was slightly surprised. But the fact that people who have met Kerry are impressed by him is a great sign.

Of course, that's the philosophy that's played out in the NH primaries. People are more likely to vote for someone if they've met him or her and talked eye-to-eye. It's important here in New England and I'm sure it's the same around the country.

[JoFerret]

16. I saw an extended C-Span of Kerry working an Iowa caucus

...and Kerry was really excellent. Warm, engaging, natural. he listens well and really connects. No bullshit blather and false friendship either.And - it goes without saying - he was well-informed, articulate, relaxed.