Is this campaign ready to challenge Bush on character? And mean it??!!

[hansolsen]

Kerry needs to make a fundamental decision on how to deal with Bush on Iraq for the rest of this campaign.

He must choose whether or not to make character an explicit issue.

Option A: Take character off the table and treat this election as if Bush were Ike, but dumb.

Focus on George Bush being a bungling incompetent idiot who has made the wrong choices at every turn, but acknowledge the conventional wisdom that Bush is still a good hearted, God fearing, patriotic, all American good guy everyone wants to have a beer with. Keep everything civil at all costs. Don't get angry.

This option always begins with this clause, "I like George Bush, but --"

Option B: Make character issue number one, name names, and get angry because rightous anger is warranted. Start by saying, "I don't like George Bush, let me tell you why."

Call Shrub out for what he is: George Bush, the boy Emperor, is Caligula in training pants. He is evil incarnate. He is the Prince of Abu Ghraib. He deliberately lied about WMD and approved torture of detainees he denied protection under the Geneva Convention. The war in Iraq is a personal vendetta, planned years in advance. Bush misused both the flag and religion for partisan political purposes. And about ten more things that 80% of the Dem base can quote chapter and verse.

This option starts with speaking for the Dem base and calling a spade a spade. These sentences could all begin with this clause, "George Bush is the least Christian man who ever served in the Oval Office; for example -- ".

I recommend option B.
I am begging for option B.
Actually, I demand option B.

Option B has the great redeeming value that it is true.