President Kerry's opportunity/challenge: unity

[mediaman007]

John Kerry will have the best opportunity in the last 20 years to unite the country. Maybe not totally unite, but given that the electorate is probably 40% Republican and 45% Democrat with the remainder spread out as independents and other, Kerry has an opportunity to appeal to that middle.

Bush* campaigned on that opportunity in 2000. People voted for that campaign promise. With his actions and his campaign George Bush* has thumbed his nose with impunity to a more united country. Bush's* far right agenda and exclusive campaigns to limit Democratic participation, have poisoned his chances to unite.

Kerry enters with a fresh slate. For the country, Kerry must find a way to make his administration inclusive. At first he can make the middle voters feel welcome. Openness in government, a progressive agenda (without fringe elements) and frequent press conferences would be a good start.

If Kerry can lead Americans away from polarization, he will have accomplished a great feat.

President Clinton, unfortunately, faced an angry right wing of America. I don't think he was prepared for it. He probably considered it a nuisance at the time it started.

Kerry can head that off by getting started positively. Where Clinton had weaknesses to exploit, Kerry may have few.

This is a great challenge, but it is the opportunity to move America to the middle.

[mikehiggins]

1. Golly, its nice to see someone optimistic around here

but I think it'll take a lot more than John Kerry to unite this nation. What has to happen--and nobody is really willing to do it--is for progressive people to emulate the radical right and start taking this country over once again from the bottom up. From school boards and local town councils all the way up to Congress.

Hey, who's got time for that when there's a new Grand Theft Auto out there?

[NicRic]

2. Kerry will reach out !

I honestly believe Kerry will reach out the the other side ,like President Clinton ,Kerry will listen to all sides and make an informed choice on policy. Instead of the shut out we now have ,an arrogant unintelligent non leader, that has one policy ,my way or the highway. How this can even be a close race is distrubing to me. I knew we had some very ignorant people , however I never thought that it was almost half the country.

[mediaman007]

3. There are a lot of Americans, who only participate

in the political process once every four years. I think Kerry has an advantage here, because this race has captured a lot of attention. Most voters will remain tuned to the process for some time after the election.

This is Kerry's opening.