We must address our weaknesses, but in a positive manner

[mvd]

So, here's a question to the supporters of all the candidates: what do you think is the main weakness of your candidate? And how should that candidate overcome the weakness?

I'll start with Kucinich, since he's my fave. He'd be portrayed as an out-there, fringe candidate. What Dennis would have to do is go over Bush's record and show how Bush is really the fringe person. And explain more about how what he wants can be accomplished. He did a good job of that with his health care plan.

[mvd]

1. Also..

Kucinich should pick someone like Edwards for VP.

[library_max]

2. My candidate is Kerry.

I see the results in Iowa as a second and possibly last chance for the Kerry campaign. Because Iowa is a caucus state, the results are decided by a more committed group of voters than is typical, and I think more of them "looked under the hood" of the campaigns at the actual stands and records of the candidates.

If you take the trouble, Kerry's record and positions shine. But his campaign so far has been mediocre to awful. He needs to raise some real money above the Heinz fortune. He needs to differentiate himself from the other candidates. Above all, he needs to get assertive and positive, and start running against George Bush instead of running against Howard Dean.

Potshots at Dean won't do anything but hurt him if he is the eventual nominee. And there's no way he can expect swing voters to "look under the hood" in the national election. If he can't get busy and learn how to sell himself (or find someone else who can really do it), he would be dead weight as the nominee.

[mvd]

3. Good response

This is the type of thing I was looking for. The purpose of the thread is to anticipate what Rove might try.

[sandnsea]

4. Iowa removed doubt

I think most people were hesitant about Kerry because they didn't think regular working people would relate to him. He proved that isn't true in Iowa, when people had an opportunity to look under the hood and liked what they saw. Now the fact that he has been taking it to Bush will make the news, instead of the bullshit he said/he said shit, and we'll see a whole new race.

Kerry has to start fine-tuning his case for gay rights, abortion and gun safety. They will be GE issues and he's got to make his position crystal clear. That will be the toughest battle for him coming up. But then, Clark views these issues the same so maybe it won't matter.