LAT: Kerry Still Unknown to Many(Kerry intro follows fund-raising)

[DeepModem Mom]

THE NATION
Kerry Still Unknown to Many
His campaign switches its focus from raising money to conveying a positive image to voters.

By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer


NEW YORK — Almost two months after effectively clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. John F. Kerry still faces a major task — introducing himself and his candidacy to many American voters.

Kerry, his advisors and political analysts agree he remains unknown to large portions of the electorate, despite extensive media attention during the primaries and his regular presence on the campaign trail since his last major Democratic rival left the race in early March....

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Some analysts are more pointed in their assessment, saying the Massachusetts senator should have done more already to make a compelling case for his candidacy....

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Kerry's advisors said they chose to focus on replenishing his campaign war chest in the last month to pay for an effective challenge to President Bush. By last week, Kerry had raised about $29 million in 16 cities.

With a new round of TV advertising launched Wednesday and his increasingly personal references while campaigning, Kerry was trying to depict himself as a centrist Democrat whose character was fashioned by his wartime experience in Vietnam....


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-kerry25apr25,1,1702908.story?coll=la-home-politics

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Not only is he not known to many, but Democrats who don't know him

are getting fed some serious bs. A friend who is a diehard Democrat said she didn't like Kerry nor Bush and that Nadar was looking better and better. When I asked her why she didn't like Kerry she said her brother-in-law from oop North said that Kerry believed in outsourcing and he made his money from sweatshops.

Now here's the clincher...because I really didn't know how his wife made a living, I didn't jump in to defend him. All I told her is that sometimes you have to vote for the other party just to ensure that one party doesn't gain too much power.

[ugarte]

2. I understand he's keeping his powder dry

and getting his money together, so I'll withhold criticism of his campaign, or lack of one, thus far.

I still believe his VP choice will be crucial. The right person should give him a huge bump and help in the key Midwest states, namely Ohio.