hypothetical

[Kholst]

Imagine Kerry were running against a reasonable alternative (I can dream, can't i?). Why should I vote for him?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Depends on who the "reasonable alternative" is

Hard to point out strengths and weaknesses without a basis for comparison.

[woofless]

2. Presumably it would be because you are a

Democrat.

[Nadienne]

3. Republicans also have

blind loyalists. And this used to confuse me.

[Kholst]

4. well...

I'm voting for Kerry, but...

(A) I don't believe in voting for someone just because they are a Democrat (which I am not, btw).
(B) The ambiguous opponent is intentional. I'm looking for positive arguments, which require only Kerry's record and stance, not his opponent's.

[Kholst]

5. tap, tap, tap ... is this thing on?

The biggest complaint I hear about Kerry from independents, independent-minded Republicans, and even som independent-minded Democrats is that they don't know why they should vote for him and not just against Bush. I know some that don't want to vote for Bush, but have said things along the lines of, "perhaps it is better to have the devil you know than the devil you don't."

I'm not suggesting that pointing out Bush's many flaws is a bad thing, but we need to be giving them a positive reason to vote for Kerry at the same time.

[Beetwasher]

6. Without Knowing You're Views on a Whole Slew of Issues

How can anyone tell you why you should vote for him?

I can tell you why I'm voting for him:

He's economically conservative and believes in balancing the budget and reasonable targeted tax breaks for small businesses and the middle class.

He has terrific and unparalelled experience in foreign affairs which is essential right now to repair this country's credibility w/ the international community. He has a sane approach to Iraq which includes getting the international community involved and has the connections and gravitas to make it happen and to repair our tattered relations.

He supports a womans right to choose.

He's got a great track record on environmental issues.

As evidenced by his releasing of all the lobbyists he's met with he's showing he can be trusted to keep his word about an open government.

He's a fighter.