Can Kerry Use Anti-Gas Sentiment For An Alternative Fuel Campaign Agenda?

[DrFunkenstein]

Yes, I mean gasoline. As in staggering prices. As in "why the hell are our bravest dying in the Middle East?"

With the public increasingly turned to troop withdrawal, to misgivings about the reasons for invasion, and generally irate about gas prices, is there a perfect storm brewing for an campaign agenda cenetered around clean, domestic fuel?

Now, I know that this would play magnificently to our base. We're all tree-humping hippies. But how would this play in Peoria? My sense is that alternative fuel has bi-partisan support at the ground level, but the GOP has too many ties to the energy sector to get behind it.

Nevertheless, there is a shot that McCain will take this issue and run with it the way he did with campaign finance reform in 2000. In fact, McCain and Kerry did some fairly amazing work together on precisely this issue.

One of my big critiques of Kerry's 2004 performance was his lack of a central agenda. If he picked up clean, domestic fuel as his vision of the future, it would allow him to put together his two strengths: foreign policy and environmentalism. It would also keep him focused and present a positive message (instead of kissing his opponents ass, which is not what I consider "positive").

What are your thoughts about the matter? Is America ready for SUVs that get 80 miles to the gallon?

[aquart]

1. $3 a gallon should do it.

[xtreme69]

4. We'll hit $3 easy

We'll see what happens though. 85% ethanol mix anyone?

[blm]

2. That was one of Kerry's KEY campaign issues at EVERY rally and speech

but, the media editted most of it out along with the healthcare and labor issues.

[DrFunkenstein]

6. The Important Phrase Here: "One of"

I don't think the media are so much biased as much as they're a bunch of lazy sucks. They're stupid and they think they're audience is much stupider.

Kerry has to drastically re-think his style to compliment a lazy, sound-bite driven media and throw in more audience-cheering lines. TV does not work for long, nuanced answers. Leave that for the NPR crowd (ask Dukakis how big they are).

Kerry needs a single focus for the simple reason that the media will take anything else as impossibly complex (i.e. bo-ring).

I think health care will work as a central theme, too, but I think that the issue lends itself to undue complexity and nuance (i.e. bo-ring).

My gut tells me that Kerry can sink his teeth into alternative energy, and it will also help address some of his major stylistic flaws.

[LittleClarkie]

7. Energy independance was a big applause line

People like the idea of getting away from ME oil.

When he mentioned Saudi Arabia specifically he really got a good response.

[karynnj]

13. Also he integrated several issues together

in a very coherent way.

He argued that the country which used its resources to fund development in clean alternative fuels and energy saving technology would benefit in good high tech jobs, and a cleaner enviroment in addition to ending our country's reliance on ME oil.

It was all in one paragraph - it really makes sense and he is right - however given Bush, it will probably be another country that does this and reaps the gains. Kerry was cheered each time he spoke of this. What more can you want?

[blm]

8. If he had only spoken of ONE issue, he's be labeled one-note Johnny.

Kerry gave great speeches that targeted ONLY the environment, and alternative energy as an important part of national security - The media refused to cover it.

He added it to his overall plans and they STILL didn't cover it.

[DrFunkenstein]

9. I'm Not Saying Just One Issue - I'm Talking Campaign Theme

And Kerry did get press for talking about rising gas prices. As noted earlier, he got big applause for anti-Saudi comments, which taps some powerful feelings in the country. If you are going to set up a fall guy, it might as well be those Taliban-like petrocrats (i'm pretty sure that's not a real word).

[blm]

10. His theme was a stronger America based on an independent and healthy

America.

Security with Integrity.

[DrFunkenstein]

11. Wow, That Is Alot of Poll-Tested Words In One Post!

I get a vague sense of what you are saying, but that is precisely the problem.

Look, blm (hi, by the way!), I'm not trying to trash Kerry's campaign. I'm trying to address problems now that we can allow for criticisms. I was one of the jerks saying the campaign would address the Swift Boats, just give them time.

I consider Kerry at a serious disadvantage against Clinton, who is much more formidable politically then anyone who ran in the last primaries. If he doesn't make some fundamental changes, I cannot see him making it past the early primaries.

People are willing to give him another chance, I think, if he comes out as a tighter candidate. But his last campaign was both rambling and slow. Which is a shame because I think he would make for an historic Presidency.

[blm]

12. Let's get really real....Kerry bested Bush at every turn. The RNC

bested the DNC at every turn and the RW media bested the left leaning media at every turn.


I notice how the left media will never take aim at themselves for not elbowing their way onto the airwaves with the tenacity and discipline that the right wing media shows.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. Does "Every Turn" Include The National Convention?

But that's besides the point. I don't think Kerry should focus more on his opponents. But I certainly do think your point about the RNC and the (lazy) media game is crucial to any future Kerry might have.

Part of that is having a singular, disciplined message from which the campaign moves forward. Which doesn't mean excluding health care and other issues, but making clear that Kerry has a priority he wants accomplished during his 4-8 years.

[blm]

16. Pont was that at every crucial match up how did EVERYONE do?

.

[karynnj]

17. Why other than the media to you see Clinton as such a strong candidate

The problem I see is her biggest asset - Bill, is also her biggest liability. I can't really see Bill controlling either his ego or his need for the spot light - It might work beutifully - but he may just step on her moments. (It's just his personality )

[karynnj]

15. Yet they Bush a full hour for "a major policy announcement"

which was really a scripted re-do of what he should have said but didn't in the first debate. (It sounded mostly like "Kerry is weak", a real non-partisan, not related to the election statement.) Remember the equal time amendment is history.

[karynnj]

18. The problem is that everyone has an issue - that should have been the

focus of the entire campaign. The problem was each had a different issue. Kerry had good answers for all the major issues - which is what made him so good in the debates.

Have you seen Kerry's emails? They seem succinct and direct to me - but I had no problem with his answers during the campaign - when I could hear them on C-SPAN, so I am probably not a good judge. (I was actually pleasantly surprised after the election, that his Senate committee statements show a much deeper intellect than was shown in the campaign - so he had greatly simplified his ideas and wording for the campaign.)

[Lost4words]

3. I don't think Kerry could sell eternal life to the masses.

[phantom power]

5. I think it would play well, if done properly.

There's a lot of angles that John Q Public could identify with. National security. Anti-Arab sentiment. New industries, jobs, etc. Public health.

The fact that we've failed on these issues for so long is an embarassment. It should be so easy to connect with people.