What issue are we mostly going to defeat Bush on?

[Hippo_Tron]

Foreign policy or the economy. I think this is a crucial question because it determines what our best candidate and running mate are. I think if it's foreign policy Kerry and Clark either way around are the best purely because of their backgrounds. Now if it's the economy and other domestic issues such as healthcare and social security I'd take one of those two and throw them in with either Edwards, Dean, or Gephardt. Your thoughts?

[frank frankly]

1. Foreign Policy & The Economy are becoming inseparable

Because Dubya has plunged us into this horrific and costly war, while simultaneously robbing us blind, people are connecting the two--as they should! No money for x, y, & z = war in Iraq.

BTW, I don't agree that foreign policy experience is a necessity. Only Bush Sr. could have been said to have ample experience with that of the last bunch of Presidents. I think it's an artifical point.

[mitchum]

3. what frank said

[Hippo_Tron]

4. But...

It's great in this case. The Vietnam vet and the General vs. the draft dodger who sent our troops to die for (nothing so far) and the fatass who's corporation is profiting from all of it.

[frank frankly]

6. I hear you, Hippo

I just don't think that the media can stick these labels on the Dems this time. I agree that Kerry or Clark would seem to be innoculated against this, but I hope that all the Dem candidates would vigorously dispell this myth by stating that BUSH WENT AWOL!!! i mean they should say it tomorrow in the debate. why do they hold anything back?

And if the pundits do claim it, fuck them because they are wrong. So far Clark and Kerry's heroic record hasn't kept them from being hit on this. Have either of them called him on his going AWOL yet? man, i really would appreciate it if either of them did!

[mw]

2. Issues alone won't beat Bush

Bush supporters don't give a rats ass about issues. They'll support him.

Bush could pitchfork live babies into burning fires on national TV, and the millions of his "cult of partisanship" followers will still blindly follow him.

That's important to remember when considering the reich wing. To them, fair play, intellectual honesty, and integrity of issues are signs of weakness, for suckers.

Issues are good. But most importantly is the fight itself. Democrats have to be ready to put aside issues, and run a no-holds-barred campaign to bash the shit out of our opponent.

Thats why, so far, I like Dean. But I'm still watching.

[amazona]

5. i think it's the economy...

...but I still like Clark. You can't save this economy and keep pouring $$$$ into pretending to do something about 9-11. You save the economy by not only handling the economy -- he will be clued in with Clinton and his advisors -- but by clearing up the Iraq mess and finding out and punishing who did 9-11. I wouldn't ignore Sharpton on the domestic issues either. He will try to get us a safety net. Hell, any of 'em are better than what we got.


perhaps we purple people are goofy and should stay in the lounge?

[Resistance Is Futile]

7. Honesty

The economy will improve to some degree by 2004. Banking on the economy to prune the shrubbery will not be a safe bet.

Running on Iraq leaves one in serious danger of an October Surprise such as an early withdrawal.

LIHOP is too far into tinfoil hat territory to strike a chord with the unwashed masses.

Long term economics (such as Chimpy's effort to destroy social security by starving government to death) are too complex for the unwashed masses to understand and will backfire when it becomes obvious that the only solution is a tax increase.


The area that is most vulnerable right now is honesty. The Chimp administration is completely immoral and utterly dishonest. It habitually witholds or manipulates the truth even when it has no need to be dishonest. The candidates should drive home the point that the administration has lied on every issue from clean air to energy policy and the PATRIOT act. It simply cannot be trusted with another term in office.

[Northwind]

8. None

Campaign are not won or lost on issues. They are won and lost on perception and personalities. Issues are merely the vocabulary of how perception and personality are expressed.

[Dagaz]

9. As long as Bush is the issue he'll win

Talk about anything and have an agenda and that's the best chance to win. Attacking Bush makes him the issue which means that the candidate doesn't get to pus his. Dean is running as the anti Bush which will get him to 40-45% but whomever runs has to be able to pound home an agenda other than just Bush sucks.

[cliss]

10. Issues:

1) The war in Iraq = the war is perceived as not hitting close to home, not immediate enough to change people's perceptions. Won't affect him negatively.

2) The deficits = not seen as urgent enough to make a difference. They haven't hit yet -- just wait. But for right now, not enough to affect him negatively.

3) The economy = now you're getting warmer. We are now closer to home. If the economy starts to falter with the dollar getting weaker overseas, manufacturing companies shutting down & big layoffs start happening, it will hit Bush like a brick wall.

4) Layoffs = if we see hundreds of thousands of layoffs (besides the already 2.3 million people out of work, we can expect an impact on this administration. Count on Bush losing the re-election.

Moral of the story: people are not very interested if it doesn't affect them personally. If they lose their job and are on the verge of losing their car & foreclosure on their home, you can bet they will demand a change.