My Advise to the Kerry Campaign

[louis c]

I've been very optimistic until just recently.

This Swift Boat thing is really getting to me. I know all the pertinent facts, and they all favor Kerry. Thurlow's account in '96, the man who received the Bronze Star on the same day accounting the hostile fire, Rood and Druz's widow on the Silver Star, Rassman's first hand account, Elliot's glowing evaluations of Kerry in 1969, French's lie and on and on. So please, don't bring up all the facts that are on our side. I know all of them, it's not me you have to convince.

The undecideds don't have time to sort this out. They know there are two stories, so Kerry is the loser in their minds. I try to shake them, but it gets so that their eyes glaze over in my first minute. It's as if the lie is more interesting than the truth.

No one is going to listen to us, it has to come directly from the candidate.

He has to make an appeal. Kerry needs 15 minutes on 60 minutes or an equivalent show. He has to look into the camera and say the truth. He has to say that he went to Viet-Nam because he loves this country, and he came home to lead the opposition to that war because he loves this country. In retrospect, no one believes that our actions in Viet-Nam was a sensible course to take then, and he took the courageous stand to speak against it in an effort to save American lives.

He can say that he knew then, and knows now that speaking against the Viet-Nam War would anger some of his fellow veterans, but the truth, in cases like life and death, usually does.

Kerry should assert that he understands their long festering anger, those days caused many wounds, but it was his obligation to speak the truth.

He should say that just because he understands their anger, it should not blind them to the heroic deeds that he, his crew mates, and them, all accomplished.

I'm sure some very good speech writers could give him even better words. It worked for Clinton in 1992, and Nixon in 1952, and their stories were nowhere near as heroic or fact filled as Kerry's. He needs to do something dramatic to turn this around.

One speech and then move on.

I'm afraid if he does not heed this advise, we're in trouble.

[kstewart33]

1. He will do exactly as you suggest

Probably in the first debate on Sept. 30. Both candidates can make a closing statement. If he cannot work it in beforehand, I expect he will do it then. That's his prime opportunity when scores of millions will be watching.

[physioex]

2. Yet another world is coming to end thread....

Patience...Kerry knows what he is doing. Until then, keep the pressure on.....

[louis c]

4. He can turn this around

with a personal touch.

Like I said, Clinton did it about infidelity, and Nixon about bribery.

Kerry could deliver a speech and leave not a dry eye in the house and then close the chapter by saying that's it, we're moving on to the issues of the future.

If he does this, it will close the door on his enemies, all at no cost to the campaign.

[lancdem]

3. I was pretty bummed a few days ago, too

but I believe the Swift Boat thing has now turned in our favor, actually. There is no polling evidence it specifically caused Kerry's recent struggles - his decline in support among vets could've been a normal drop once the convention was weeks past. Since Kerry didn't run any ads in August and Bush ran a million of them, it's hardly surprising Kerry lost some points. It could've been worse.

[louis c]

5. kick

[PROGRESSIVE1]

6. I agree that he has to go on to a show as you said and...

say what you prescribed.

[louis c]

8. He Can Portray

himself as a heroic and sympathetic figure who has the courage to fight when it is necessary, and the intelligence to avoid war when it is useless.

[rocktivity]

7. Kerry is the victim of the Smear-Boaters, not the perpetrator

If people are going to base their vote on who has the superior military record, they should hear about Bush's before they make a final decision. Kerry should put the AWOL story out there, and THEN he can talk about how he did what he thought was right (and how it turned out that he WAS right). It's Bush and the Smear-Boaters who should be making public "appeals"--they're the ones who need to explain why they betrayed the voter's trust by conspiring to spread lies about Kerry.

:headbang:
rocknation

[louis c]

9. We're not looking to be right

just win.

Kerry can be the heroic victim of this smear, and show his fellow countrymen just how human and smart he is.

[UTUSN]

10. Advice with a "c". No. KERRY Doesn't Need to Do Shit

He was there. He did what he did. He got what he got (decorations).

NOBODY who is having his ass shot at is THINKING about "medals".

And "advice" is spelled with a "c". "s" is a verb. "c" is a noun.

After we get the grammar, THEN we can ask for some advice.

[CatWoman]

11. LOL

My Prince!!

:D

:loveya:

[UTUSN]

12. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

and love you and love you... (Thank Zeus you know the difference between a "s" and a "c".)

*********QUOTE******

.... Sir, 'twas not

Her husband's presence only, called that spot
Of joy into the Duchess' cheek ....
She had
A heart . . . how shall I say? . . . too soon made glad,
Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er
She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. ....

She thanked men,--good; but thanked

Somehow . . . I know not how . . . as if she ranked
My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
With anybody's gift. ...


********UNQUOTE*******

[louis c]

17. Your apparent ridicule

of others for small mistakes by those on the Kerry side is just the arrogance that seems to come from his campaign.

Probably why we can't overtake the worst President in American History.

A well run campaign against President shit head with this war and this economy, with a candidate of Kerry's resume', should be up 20 points, not struggling as it is now.

They need all the advice (thanks for the English lesson) they can get.

You can teach English, I'll stick to Political Science.

[louis c]

18. by the way

That's real funny, "Advise" instead of "Advice".

However, I just hope that Karl Rove isn't getting the last laugh on all of us because of the tepid political thinking of poor strategists like UTUSN.

Look at Clinton's rapid response "War Room" in 1992 run by James Carville. I'll follow his lead ahead of UTUSN and his (or her) Dukakis strategy any day.

I hope my words are spelled correctly, otherwise the Dukakis strategy may make more sense to you.

No wonder the Repukes control every branch of government, they have the ruthless political strategists, and we have the poets.

Great, in the mean time, the working class has no jobs.

[louis c]

14. Thanks for the grammar lesson

and Kerry will have no problem in this election if the only folks that are qualified to vote are we here at DU.

Unfortunately for all of us, they let almost everyone else vote, also.

I know the story.

Twice before there were questions about the character of candidates. In 1952, Nixon was assailed for a slush fund, and he made his famous checkers speech. In 1992, Clinton made his visit on 60 minutes to refute the Jennifer Flowers' issue. It worked, because the American people will sympathize with a person under attack.

With an impassioned plea about the heroism of his ship mates, and the explanation of the times, he can turn this obvious negative to a political positive in one night.

Your grasp of grammar far accedes mine. However, I believe my political instincts are far superior to your's.

[louis c]

16. delete

[lottie244]

13. I can't believe that he is not going to do as you say. Just waiting for

the right time right after the convention to counter the expected bounce. A well done, honest ad with several of the Viet Nam vets who were a part of the groung that Kerry represent, well timed will do the trick. However, the campaing must get the timing right...they don't want to do it while a hurrican is brewing. And it should not be done during any Plame indictments, or Abu Gahraib reports. I would suggest mid October.

[louis c]

15. Too Late

Do it now, on free air time, after the RNC.

One last debate over the issue, get the last word, and move on to other, more important issues.

The American people will love his courage, again.