Question about Kerry & Independent voters

[AnnitaR]

I keep hearing that Kerry could pull in a large number of Independent votes... I don't understand how that will happen.

What would Independent voters find appealing about Kerry? I mean on the surface of it he's a liberal Sen. from Mass. with Ted Kennedy out campaigning with him everywhere. What Kerry policies would sway the Independent voters over to his side?

[NewJeffCT]

1. My guess

I'm guessing the war hero will appeal to many independents.

[sandnsea]

2. Common sense

For holding Saddam accountable in an honest and responsible way.
International affairs, environmental treaties, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, long history of working with nations and working for peace. Taxes. Small Business. Tough on crime while supporting civil rights. Change Patriot Act, implement fairly. 2 years service, 4 years college. Changes to NCLB and Education Trust Fund to permanently fund federal mandates. Veterans' benefits. Women's rights and domestic violence act. He's just right 90% of the time, that's all.

And when people get those calls from vets, firefighters, evironmentalists, women's advocates, educators, who all say he is always the one who is there when they need him; it goes a very long way.

Lots of reasons to vote Kerry. Can't really understand anybody who knows his full record for the last 20 years not voting for him. He stands up for the exact things and in the exact way I would want a President to stand up.

[vi5]

3. Most of the people I know are "independent"...

And they've said that Kerry appeals to a lot of the things they are looking for. Socially liberal, strong foreign policy experience, military background. And they like that he's said SOME stuff against bush but hasn't made it the central theme to his campaign. It's the same reason they are giving Edwards another look to.

That's the thing Independents HATE politics and attacks. So any candidate who makes that a bigger part of their campaign than their resume or their plans for the future immediately turns them off.

[emulatorloo]

4. Good record on environment, fiscally responsible, good foreign policy

experience, pro-small business, pro accountabilty in business, and so on. His criticism of Bush is harsh, but he supports it with developed ideas of what he will do instead.

[ModerateMiddle]

5. In NH

he is polling even better among Indies than he is among Dems.

Indies tend not to knee-jerk their positions. They don't see the world as black and white as those on the extremes do. As much as folks here HATED Kerry's seemingly ever changing position on Iraq, Indies can identify with Kerry: we need to make sure the country is safe, but we need to do it properly.

Plus, he has a reputation for bringing people together. He never ridicules Republicans, just the extremism of the Bush administration and how it is not representative of conservative values.

His military background resonates with many folks in the middle, and his anti-war stance after Viet Nam does too.

I think it's going to be very healing for this nation to finally have a Viet Nam vet in the White House, AND an anti-war protestor. It could help heal that rift.

As much as Bush SAID he was a uniter - I honestly believe that Kerry will BE a uniter. That's been my hope and prayer from the beginning, that Kerry could heal the partisan divide in this country. We sure do need it.

[mikehiggins]

6. Last night a young boy in the Notch said it all about Kerry

Not in New Hampshire, he said.

Kerry may win the primary but he won't win the state.

And writing off the South? Not good, big fella. Not good at all.