What does Kerry need to do better?

[INTELBYTES]

I've seen posted in the GD2004 over the last few days polls that show Kerry possibly losing 5 of the blue states. 4 of those are in the North East. WFT? I've seen today a poll showing Michigan is still on Kerry's side but the gap is closing. Yesterday showed polls with bush gains in Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Mexico.

So we can sit around and debunk all polls saying their a load of crap which I've seen happen to almost every poll shown on the DU, or we can make suggestions and hope someone is listening in the Kerry campaign camp. The truth of the matter is, unless we do pay attention to these polls, bush will win. If he already has the South sewn up and is making headway into the blue northern states we are screwed!

So, in case any Kerry campaign folks are listening, what suggestions would you give them to stop the bush train from steam rolling over the elections in November?

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Speak.

He nearly puts me to sleep, and I agree with most of what he has to say....

[mzmolly]

2. He's not motivational ... at all.

:shrug:

He needs Dean as a VP.

[progressiverealist]

3. in Wisconsin, Bush is creaming Kerry with the "tax and spend" schtick

People here are pissed off about what they perceive to be high taxes (Tommy Thompson campaigned on that theme four times) and so Bush's attack ads have really worked.

Eventually, Kerry needs to refute Bush's charges more vigorously and make people realize they will be better off with the Kerry plan. As of right now, the polls are showing a powerful surge here by Bush, with Nader pulling in about 8%. If the election were today Bush would win Wisconsin handily. Keep in mind, Wisconsin went for Gore (barely), Clinton twice, and Dukakis, so I still think Kerry has a chance to recover here, but it's looking grim at the moment.

[INTELBYTES]

6. Nader has 8%??

Crap, is Nader going to beat Kerry in that State? I'm kidding of course, but WFT? I see Nader votes as a dissatisfaction vote against Kerry. 8% is quite a few!

[progressiverealist]

9. The current Nader vote seems to be former Deaniacs and Madison lefties

I think many of these folks will come around to Kerry. BTW I am a former Madisonian and I know a lot of "idealists" there who would truly rather see 4 more years of Bush than vote for a Dem they see as "too conservative."

[napi21]

44. I don't think you should include Deaniacs!

I'm a Deaniac and still think a lot of him, but I am supporting Kerry. So are all the members of our Meetup Group!

I don't know anything about Madisonians, but I have to believe Michigan must be upset with the job losses and the new overtime laws!

[mhr]

4. Too Much Detail, Too Little Vision!

One Example, Jobs and Outsourcing.

Instead of releasing plan after plan with wonkish details and brain numbing numbers, he needs to say the following:

My fellow Americans, I say to you today, simply and clearly, that I will protect American jobs first, last and always. The days of sending good American jobs overseas will end. The days of importing overseas labor will end. The days of rewarding corporations at the expense of workers will end. You have my solemn promise that I will work tirelessly to insure that Americans and American jobs are my first priority each and every day.

If he would say the above over and over, he would win the election.

[cornfedyank]

11. i agree

add a line about getting a congress that sees it the same..

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. I agree, he lacks "the vision thing"

He needs to communicate to the voters what his policies will mean for them, and to create some cognitive dissonance among the voters with respect to Bush.

He needs to let the voters know what his ideal vision of America's future is.

Then, most importantly, he has to emphasize the need to elect a Democratic Congress. None of this supporting Robbie Republican because "he's a decent enough guy."

[kodi]

34. an "American" narrative that allows him define himself in its metaphors

he went to school and excelled.

he did the right things.

he went to viet nam when he could have avoided it.

he did the right things.

he served his country with honor and bravery,

he did the right things.

he got involved with public affairs as a young man, and served his community.

he did the right things.

he served in congress with distinction.

where he did the right things.

kerry is an example of what we want our kids to grow up to be; committed, brave, willing to sacrifice and to stand up for right over wrong when it is easier to cut and run.

kerry has to attach his own life onto these positive metaphors that help define the american dream and myth and show how he is a positive example of what this "mythical" America can yield.

in this way, kerry becomes a natural product of the metaphors americans use to define thir country and people will associate him with the positives of america.

i mean, this is basic stuff, even hitler reecognized the value of this sort of linkage to cultural identities and myths in mein kamp

[Hekate]

46. Exactly right, kodi! n/t

[JohnOneillsMemory]

50. The framing themes are "Bush is a bad father, I am a good father to you."

Linguist George Lakoff has written about the way people hear messages within the framework of what they believe.

Tell them things that don't fit their preconceptions and it won't be heard.

People model their ideas of government after their own families.

Repub policies have been uncompromising harsh Strong Father like.
Dem policies have been tolerant nurturing Kind Mother like.

The Kerry message needs to be:
Bush* is a bad father figure for the nation because-

1) He hasn't protected us from terrorism. 9/11 and Iraq as examples.
2) He hasn't fed and housed us. Loss of jobs as example.
3) He emptied the retirement bank account for Grandma and Grandpa.
4) He didn't pay for schools which are in crisis. NoChildLeftBehind.
5) He has harmed the environment and loosened industry safety regs.
6) He ripped up our Founding Fathers Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Bush* is our national DEADBEAT DAD. He is not competent to be the NATIONAL FATHER and he has harmed the citizens of this country and made us lots of enemies around the world.

[no name no slogan]

40. Right on!

Wonkish details do NOT win elections, and are harder to communicate in today's sound-bite campaigns.

He needs to articulate a VISION. And then explain WHY the Democratic vision is better than that of El Arbusto.

People don't vote on minute differences on issues. They vote based on the vision the candidate puts forth. And they tend to make better long-term supporters, too.

This race isn't just about changing the White House: it's about taking back the House, the Senate, and state races, too.

[kodi]

41. this "vision thing" works only if kerry embeds himself in it

when kerry talks about how he has a vision for america he has to embed himself in it as a major character. he has to show how his life & presidency articulates the vision best.

otherwise, all he is saying is stump speech syrup...."america is great...yada yada yada..."

when you distill it down, people just don't vote for a vision, they vote for the one who has a prominent place in that vision.

kerry isn't yet a brand name. "america" is a brand name, the best in, well, america. kerry's task is to get enough voters to associate with him the positives that the term "america" conjers up in their minds to get elected.

frankly, he is doing a piss poor job of it and that stuns me. kerry is the epitome of who we want as leaders in america and i can not fathom why he and his people dont seem to be able to articulate it. it is not simply that bush advertising is successfully smearing kerry. kerry is not defining himself well.

[rock]

5. In a word

nothing

[INTELBYTES]

7. Does that mean he can "do nothing" to stop bush?

Or do you mean he's doing everything right already?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. He needs to be seen. Where the hell has he been???

[cornfedyank]

10. inspire

JFK needs to show joe/jill average that he is a 21st century guy.. most folks are like conan the barbarian pushing the millstone.. they barely have time to look up..to convince them that he "feels their pain", so to speak, when he's never worked for a paycheck is the hill..JFK has to show that he has spent his time off thinking of ways to make this country better for the masses over the long haul, not just ways to feather his own bed..

[Sparkly]

12. What do WE need to do better?

I don't think it's going to do much good to keep griping about Kerry. We can write to the campaign with suggestions, but we can't change who he is.

What can WE do?
-Organize locally
-Contribute money
-Fundraise
-Write letters to editors
-Write to other media in effort to keep them honest
-Talk up the issues at every opportunity
-Call into shows like C-Span

This is the list I'd like to see added to. Ask not what John Kerry isn't doing for you; ask what you can do for John Kerry.

[INTELBYTES]

22. Agreed we can do all of that, but WE can't inspire the people.

That all has to come from the man at the top of the totem-pole. No amount of door knocking will help unless Kerry's vision is put forth, and he is the only one that can do that. I don't see that working it's way through yet.

[Sparkly]

32. I think there are more people looking for jobs than "inspiration"

I may be wrong, but I think affordable healthcare, funding for education, an economic plan that works, and some sanity in our foreign entanglements are the core of the matter. If you're affected by those, they are persuasive indeed, whether it comes from your sister-in-law or a speech by John Kerry on TV.

Granted, there's a segment of society who aren't affected by those, and who don't realize the damage the current regime has wreaked, and/or who don't care. But as Michael Moore wrote, there's always a way to talk to people like that. And with all the talk about "lack of balls" in the Democratic party that I keep seeing around here, I sense there's still a personal fear of even saying we're Liberal or putting political bumperstickers on our cars or bringing up our politics whether at work or at the supermarket...

I am not saying Kerry doesn't have to do his best -- obviously he does! I'm just concerned about threads "inspiring," if you will, a sense of sitting back and criticizing what he is and isn't doing (or what he is and isn't as a person) as a complacent sort of substitute for doing anything ourselves -- because it is so *easy.* Nothing is easier than judging and criticizing someone who's supposed to represent a vast array of opinions, ideas, campaign strategies, and even wardrobe consultants. In that, he can't win. And I think the idea is to help him win where it counts.

[freeforall]

35. A Workable Plan for Jobs...

healthcare, education, foreign policy, etc., derives from inspiration. The keyword here is "workable." This past week I read an article about Kerry promising to create 10 million jobs. Well, I see a lot to be sceptical about in that outlandish claim.

The corporations are on their own fast track, and quite frankly, don't give a damn about much except getting the cheapest labour. They are outsourcing faster than you can spell it, and Kerry is not going to stop that. I don't see how much he can really do about creating jobs - unless you all want to work at McDonald's or Wal-mart.

Unfortunately, I don't see too much inspiration there.

[Sparkly]

37. Have you read his proposals?

Read his plans for corporations. He's imposing tax penalites to discourage exportation of jobs, closing loopholes, preventing companies from establishing overseas bank accounts to avoid US taxes, taxing companies that manufacture overseas and bring the products here for sale, etc.; at the same time, he's got tax incentives for creating jobs (government kicks back the employee's payroll tax), for environmental technology, etc... Carrots and sticks; sticks and carrots. You got a better idea? Do enlighten us, with all the details.

Kerry also has proposals for healthcare, education, foreign policy, etc., and you bet they're derived from inspiration -- and he knows what's workable and what can actually get passed in Congress. Got a better alternative?

[INTELBYTES]

42. Yes, but this message is not getting out.

Your attacking those that want to get this message to the public but it aint happening. All those platforms sound great, but not if he keeps them to himself. I sure haven't seen any ads promoting this stuff. He is losing and all you can do is point out what he stands for. Where is that in the media? Kerry is faltering and will hand the WH to bush if he doesn't get the message to the people.

[swinney]

13. Attack the Bush Gang not adminstration.

Attack relentlessly-
Lies
Distortions
Call them liars over and over.
Do not bother with elaborate justification or proof. Just say it.
Call them evil.
Call them anti-christ
Gore got gored for being nice and talking issues while he was being butchered with no response.
Made me sick.
attack credibility. wide open field with so much.
attack draft dodger/ deserter.say it damn it. say it. say it.

To heck with how they feel. Slap their faces the Bush Gang.

Stress-"Bush Gang" not administration.

"This gang".

[arewethereyet]

14. he needs to campaign as a president, not a senator

that means have a vision and sell it. You know, like Edwards did. And Clinton, And Carter et al...

And silly things like promising 10 million jobs does not help. HE can't deliver that, everyone knows it and there are not 10 million people available.

[AlinPA]

15. Show the passion that he did in primaries. "I know something

about aircraft carriers for real", etc.......

[arewethereyet]

17. that doesn't change the moderete mind

he needs a vision

[AlinPA]

20. I agree about a vision. Like Edwards'. n/t

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. 
[link:www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html|Click
here] to review the message board rules.

[INTELBYTES]

23. I don't know if I'd call him dumb but I agree with the rest!

and welcome to the DU!! :hi:

[Paradise]

29. So, let me see,

you find our candidate brainless, ridiculous, looking foolish, dumb, and dumber? I kinda like the guy, and think he's pretty smart. Welcome to DU :hi:

[DemCam]

19. Hopefully, he's working

on the vision right now.

I have not heard a single comment this week from Democrats that I talked with that was positive about Kerry. Everyone had a piece of advice to give him,however.

It's not just Kerry that's having a problem with vision; it's our entire party.

We are in flagrant disarray and are a house surely divided. We all fell in love with our candidates in the primary and don't want to give them up...me included. Since this is my first presidential primary, I am assuming that it is still too early for our wounds to heal.

BUT

I am still working in two groups that our Clark group has organized and a group that came from our last Kerry MeetUp.

The negativity, though, is palpable...and it is beginning to bring me down.

This is where our candidate could really help us right now. We need some hope that we can get this bunch out of office. We can't lead from the bottom/up and win. We've got to have help from the top. Let's hope he's getting his house and his body and mind in order for six months of relentless campaigning.

We're counting on you, now, John.

[freeforall]

39. Dems getting depressed...

by lack of leadership.

A leader who wants to stay on top has got to be passionate and inspired. The people will only be as enthusiastic about him as he is about himself and his vision for the country.

I haven't even seen him this week. Where's he hiding? I don't buy the argument that it is early yet. This is too important an election to sit back and just "go with the flow."

Perception is very important, and if Kerry is perceived as weak, it could stick.

[EricNYC]

21. Kerry is putting his GE campaign together as we speak

Once he hits the trail for real next week, Bush is going to have thrown his best stuff at Kerry and Kerry will be able to get about the serious business of introducin himself to voters. Despite all the GOP talking heads saying that they have another month to define Kerry, the fact is voters aren't paying much attention right now except to Bush's lies and coverups. Keep the faith people. We can't expect to be ahead in the polls the entire campaign. This thing is bound to go back and forth for a while. The fact is Kerry is tied with Bush, and many voters barely know him.

[INTELBYTES]

24. Hi Eric!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[INTELBYTES]

25. I think one thing that would help him would be to vacation at disneyland..

And not at some upscale ski resort. He has to be shown as "one of the people" and not as an elite snob. That is my main concern about Kerry is that he has a hard time portraying himself as anything but a rich boy that cannot bear to come down to our level.

[Paradise]

30. Hey, Eric, Welcome to DU! :) n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. He needs to come to Michigan and speak to Detroit. Not just to the

union leaders. I am really frightened that we're going to lose Michigan. The voters in Detroit do not feel as if they have someone to represent them. That's huge. When I posted this I get a lot of brush off. Jennifer Granholm is a Democrat, but a lot of people here in Michigan are not happy with her. Our Governor isn't going to decide this race.

I'm on the phone a lot and this is what I'm hearing.

[INTELBYTES]

27. I see your previous post about this.

I think we are too quick to blow off polls. It may be wishful thinking of some, but I think over optimism will kill our chances of winning as fast as pessimism. I think your post was dead on earlier. I hope Dems are paying attention.

[fujiyama]

28. Her approval ratings are still pretty high

but you are right in that Kerry's lead has reduced drastically and the gap has closed. I really wasn't even looking at MI as being a swing state but it looks like Kerry will have to spend more time here.

He should visit more African American churches in Detroit. He should also visit the suburbs as well, especially Oakland County. These are the type of places Kerry needs to do well, because the people in these suburbs are generally prettty moderate.

Of course the union vote is also very important, but this isn't the only group in MI.

[Paradise]

31. Should Kerry lighten up?

It's important that he's a serious, thoughtful, good man, however, imo, he's just got to come
off 'a likeable guy'. Don't get me wrong, I already like him, just can't listen to him. :boring: It's like,
'if you wanna get where you wanna go, you gotta do what you gotta do'. :think:

[JNelson6563]

33. Everything!!

:boring:

[AntiCoup2K4]

36. Well, since time travel is out of the question...

...and he can't actually go back and reverse all of his STUPID pro Bush votes since the Coup, then the least he can do is admit that his votes were wrong, as were the agenda they supported.

Because if Kerry cannot show Joe Sixpack that he's any different from Junior, he won't get Joe Sixpack's vote.

[Sparkly]

38. Even Joe Sixpack can see the difference!!!!!

Why can't Ralphie Nader?

I do not want John Kerry to "admit his votes were wrong," I want him to stick it to George Bush for misleading the country into war as Commander in Chief -- and that is what he's doing. Anything less says that it isn't Bush's responsibility, as usual.

Meanwhile, Joe Sixpack is complaining that Kerry is a far-left, way out of the mainstream LIBERAL. Are you defending Kerry's voting record to Joe Sixpack?

[hedgetrimmer]

43. In a word... Inspire. n/t

[Hekate]

45. #1 Get a speech coach #2 Articulate core Dem values vision

I only put the speech coach first because nearly the whole country talks at a faster clip than he does, and he does not look particularly energized or energizing. I like the intelligence and I sure don't want him to dumb down, but something has to be done about his presentation.

Simultaneously, he needs to get a package out there and not just react to Bush's henchmen's efforts at character assassination. He needs to go on the attack and stay on it. It shouldn't be that hard to do and he doesn't have to "go left," he just has to listen to what the most energized voters have all been trying to tell the DNC: we want a rational health care plan and we want our best social institutions preserved and strengthened (i.e. public education and Social Security). We also desperately need an energy plan that doesn't involve drilling off my beach or killing off our kids in Iraq: personally, I think that if we were truly serious about reducing our vulnerability to OPEC our government would actively discourage gas-guzzlers and would slap solar panels on every government building in the country.

These ideas should not be presented by reciting from long-winded position-papers (which can be provided to anyone who wants to read them). Instead, they can and should be presented in snappy sound-bites and 30-second ads, and everyone who wants Bush out should be getting in out front with this. It's not difficult. These are emotional subjects. Bush and his cronies are vulnerable on these and many other issues. But the far-right Repubs have been killing us for the last 15+ years by using emotion and simply-put concepts--and they are killing our country by dividing us into separate camps at every turn.

Returning to reaction to attacks: Senator Kerry needs to hire a spokesperson like Karen Hughes who will tirelessly work the media on his behalf. He needs people speaking on his behalf who can give the media those snappy sound-bites and quick reactions. "You think Senator Kerry's 'wacky' on gas taxes? The record doesn't show that. But let's talk about why Bush didn't slap solar panels on every public building starting September 12, 2001. Let's talk about giving tax credits for SUVs just when the country was most vulnerable. Let's talk about doing something different for a change..." "Flip-flop? You mean you've never changed your mind with new information? How about Bush's 96 flip-flops?"

You get the idea. We just want the Democratic leadership to get a spine implant and stop rolling over in the Congress and elsewhere. We know they are outnumbered, but they don't have to keep silent about what's going on.

Hekate

[Iceburg]

47. Kerry needs to keep on

doing what he has done for his entire life -- serving his country noblely.

Americans, (DU'ers in particular) on the otherhand need to step up to the plate instead of sitting on the bench whining and complaining.

How many of you have read Brinkley's biography of Kerry? I suspect very few, otherwise you would have a better understanding that issue at hand is not "what kerry can do" but rather what you can do.

[mike from ri]

48. the deficit

the defecit, the deficit, the deficit:

make it into a moral, charachter and cultural issue, not just an economic issue. also tie it into long term national security.

[LWolf]

49. He needs to put 3 things into his platform,

and make them priorities:

1. Universal single-payer health care
2. Abolish all legislation requiring, or relating to the results of, testing in public education.
3. Eschew world domination and focus on social and economic justice at home.

[eridani]

51. Put fair trade in his platform

THE wedge issue that will split cultural conservatives from the Bush base.

http://sierratimes.com/03/12/29/ar_carlworden.htm

The issue that I believe will put Dean right over the top will be his condemnation of NAFTA/GATT, free trade, and his pledge to end our participation in the World Trade Organization. If Dean wants to win by a comfortable margin, all he has to do is THAT. The massive number of red states that voted for Bush last election will turn to blue, and Dean will waltz into the White House like a halfback who strolls untouched into the end zone. End of game.