What Kerry Needs to Win

[newdealer]

I was fascinated by the article that appeared in the latest issue of Time magazine about Sen. Kerry. It was compelling for a number of reasons. Most of the article was devoted to his biography. Not the Viet Nam Veteran—to—present bio, but revealing insights by friends, family members, and colleagues about the Senator’s earlier life. There are lesser known and facts of the Senator’s life and family. Facts about his distant Jewish roots, as well as a compelling analysis of his relation with his distant father who weighted his son with unspoken expectations. But perhaps the most illuminating part of the article focuses on perhaps the most important period of Kerry’s life. A period of his life that explains this enigmatic man: behind his seemingly privileged, Yale elitist life, was a smart, shy, student who, bounced around from one boarding school to another, never became an insider himself, and instead watched with disdain the unfairness of the excesses of the wealthy.

I bring this up, because so far he and his staff seem to be reluctant to reveal this side of the Senator, as if the only part of his biography worth talking about is his Viet Nam experience forward. However, I think the earlier story is just as useful, just as potent, perhaps not as a biography to tout to the public. But it can be used as much more powerful weapon in his campaign arsenal. If he and his handlers could tap into this part of his past psyche, it could do well to bring him closer to the average person and reorienting his posture to that of an indignant populist with a long understanding of what it is to be an outsider.

Okay, enough pop-psychology. I’m no political advisor, but as I was watching the rally after Sen. Kerry announced John Edwards to be his running mate, the news alternated clips of both Bush and Kerry/ Edwards, and one thing struck me. Although I have never been a supporter of Bush, he has succeeded as presenting himself as a man of conviction. A man who comes across absolutely sure of what he says, whether it’s a complete falsehood, or not. To Bush, the world is divided into two parts; good or evil, you’re either with him or against him, no nuanced middle ground.

In the present atmosphere of fear mongering and uncertainty among the voting public, Sen. Kerry has to up the anty on this strategy, and come across with a knife-edged conviction of the truth, and solid certainty about his vision of America, and what The Democratic Party stands for. In short, everyone knows that Sen. Kerry is honorable, smart, and courageous, but unfortunately in this election he has to show that he can be vigorous, decisive, tough-- even scrappy, offering an unwavering vision of what he wants this country to go. All he needs to do is just tap the passion and seething hatred of injustice that the Time article suggests is shyly waiting inside him. Then he will connect with the average voters.

Because one thing is clear: his opponents are going to play cutthroat in the fall.

http://www.time.com/time/election2004/article/0,18471,660967,00.html

[theivoryqueen]

1. I agree - last paragraph especially

it shouldn't be that hard for Kerry to do.