Reality Check from the Ground (What I'm Hearing...)

[IdaBriggs]

I'm a volunteer in Michigan, and here's what I'm hearing from the surprisingly LARGE number of Undecideds that we're finding:

They can't stand Bush, but they aren't sure Kerry is any better. They are trying to figure out if the "devil you know is better than the one you don't."

The smear campaigns have worked surprisingly well. "Flip-flopper" has entered the political vernacular, "supported the war but not the troops" is a regular refrain and the guys with military experience turn purple with fury over Kerry "betraying" his fellow vets. There are A LOT of "Anybody But Bush" type Kerry supporters, and even they use the same type of phrases. (Yes, these are untrue charges, and believe me when I say I've gotten good at refuting them; please put away your flame throwers and continue reading.)

Folks, we have been "out-marketed" AGAIN. Finding out "the truth" takes time, while the lies are being repeated everywhere by most media outlets. The talking heads (for heaven's sake Katie Couric was spouting this crap on Capital Report with Jon Stewart last night!) are NOT reporting on reality, and the pounding away they've been doing, while disgusting, is working. I don't have a solution, but I'm saying as loudly and clearly as I can (just like millions of others): THIS IS A PROBLEM. I am thinking some big sticks need to be employed to stop this phenomena, and I'm thinking an earlier thread by Walt Starr "List the Media WHORES who must be SHUT OUT!" needs to be SERIOUSLY considered. (See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=767522 for details.)

For an incumbent to be ousted TWO QUESTIONS have to be answered:

1) Is the Incumbent worth keeping? Change isn't comfortable, and someone has to be pretty crappy before we'll try to find a "new boyfriend," but a a majority of people in this country are NOT happy with the current guy, so we are looking good on that one.

2) Is the New Guy going to be any better? This is where we have the problem: a lot of people aren't "sold" on John Kerry.

John Kerry has only been the candidate for a few months. Only a small percentage of the population actually paid attention during the primaries, so "President Kerry" isn't "comfortable" to the voters yet, and we've only been hearing about him for a few months. If you saw him during his "transition period" where he was learning to step out of his "Senator" role and into his new "Presidential" role, he wasn't that impressive. In the meantime, we have heard "President Bush" every single day for the last four years, and it is burned into people's brains. If you weren't paying attention to the terrible job the guy's doing (thus becoming an "anybody but Bush"), a lot of the news is "nice" or at the very least "neutral" -- he gave a speech, he went here, he did this, blah, blah, blah. John Kerry's introduction to the nation has been under direct attempts at character assassination, and some of the mud has stuck.

The debates are going to be crucial. Its going to be the first time a lot of people actually pay attention to Kerry, and BELIEVE ME when I say its going to matter. Kerry's got the harder job because he's "the new guy" AND no matter how well he does, the talking heads are going to be saying bad things about him. Can it be done? Yes, but its NOT going to be easy.

I truly believe the "grass roots" effort -- meaning US SPEAKING UP CONSTANTLY -- is the only way we're going to win this thing. Wear the buttons, put the bumper stickers on your car, keep replacing the yard signs, AND GET IN THEIR FACES. Use facts, use emotions, tailor the message as you need to, and NEVER FORGET REPETITION MATTERS because that is how "new products" are sold.

Folks, its going to be tight, and I'm not trying to get anyone down. I'm telling you the truth as I'm seeing it, and I'm not going to pretend I'm not scared to death. Orwell was off by 20 years; this election is really the most important one of our lives...and most of us would rather "someone else" was dealing with this stuff.

We can't just be citizens anymore; we have to be Patriots. Isn't that a surprise? :)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. It's why I am worried about Pennsylvanian and Wisconsin

Kerry has suffered greatly from the smears and needs to get back the confidence of a lot of people he needs to win this.

[IdaBriggs]

2. I can't believe they've been sticking, but they are.

The "reality" of them not being true -- and the fact the Smear Boat guys are still putting out commercials -- is giving them an appearance of truth. The story ISN'T about whether the allegations are correct -- the story is Vietnam Vets MAD at Kerry. Why aren't they being sued yet???

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. The problem is all these vets who "have it in" for Kerry

Their hate is swaying a lot of people, who think it is legitimate.

[Carla in Ca]

35. I canceled my subscription to the LA times this morning.

I left a polite msg on voice mail of reporter who wrote the story that Times attorney filed suit to unseal Heinz will.
I said that when the sworn affidavits of the lying SBV's are investigated, I'll take the paper again.
There isn't much I can do, but I did what I could.

[SoCalDemocrat]

52. This thread is right on the mark

Once again the CON's suceed in slandeirng our candidate in the minds of the feeble undecided voters.

What do we do?

It is harder to refute the lies than it is to spin them, and it doesn't help that the media are helping to spread those lies, lending them credibility.

[missouri dem]

3. Thank you for your work in Michigan

And you are so right. We must fight for every vote. Those of us who live in battleground states need to report to the local Democratic headquarters and volunteer.
When I get mad or discouraged about the way the media and the polls are lying I go out and walk a block for Kerry.
There are lots of blocks in America and everyone has one.

[liberalmuse]

5. This is very depressing.

Kerry has the Dem base + Greens and Independents like Moore who are able to see how serious the situation is.

My daughter, who is 17 tells me her voting age friends are going for Nader because Kerry voted for the war. Nader??? What has Nader ever done for these kids? He's a hollow symbol, nothing more.

I can't tell you how upset I am about this. It seems that many of the young ones are not connecting with Kerry and can't tell the difference between Kerry and Bush, which flabbergasts me. I'm too upset to talk rationally to my daughter about this, especially since I strongly suspect that if Bush gets another term, she and her friends will be the ones who pay a very large price. As someone who's seen her mother turn into a ranting maniac in the past 4 years, I don't blame her for being skeptical when I tell her there could be a draft.

I've also talked to some young adults at work who dislike Bush but aren't voting. Perhaps it's the age, but in my 41 years, I've never seen things as bad as they are in this country, but these young kids don't have the experience or history to understand just how bad things have gotten under Bush.

Nevertheless, I still feel Kerry will win the majority of the votes. The only way Bush will get another term is if he steals another election, and I don't think he'll get away with it this time.

[Leilani]

7. The young people are surprising.

The young women have no idea of the importance of the Supreme Court & the fact that they may lose their rights to control their own bodies.

And all young people should be worried about continuing wars, which will require a draft.

[leftynyc]

22. I haven't heard Kerry speak one word about the Supreme

Court and I think it's the biggest issue around. He has to make that point very loudly. Choice, privacy, police powers, etc....

[richgriffin]

36. Ralph Nader is a better choice than Kerry

I think we sould be proud of the young people who are voting - it's not our job to tell them who to vote for. I understand fully well that we are trapped in a dysfunctional two-party system that hurts us; but how great that these young people are voting! I am so proud of them! I've voted for Ralph Nader twice, and very proudly! While I want Kerry to win, I am fine with people voting so long as it is not for Bush!! (my own hypocricy, oh well!)... Let's be happy that these kids know enough not to vote for Bush!! That's great! Lastly, Kerry is difficult to connect with - it has to do with his being a U.S. Senator, his being a gazzillionaire, the way he speaks above the heads of ordinary people - these are all legitimate concerns, and speaks to why democrats and progressives must do a better job in choosing candidates - with all of that said, I am still predicting that Kerry will eke out a win in November... provided, of course, that the election isn't stolen again....

[Bandit]

38. Your idealism is commendable but a vote for Nader is a vote for

Bush*. I'm surprised you still feel you did good by voting for him in 2000. It was because of Nader(among other factors) that Bush* is sitting where he is today. Why do you think the Republican Party is bankrolling Nader?

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BillZBubb]

39. Nader is a friggin Right Wing stooge. And so are those who back him

Nader hasn't done squat for ANY Americans and he's partially responsible for the four years of destruction we've endured under Bush*.

No one with at least an once of brain matter would support Nader this time if they didn't secretly support another Bush* term.

[West Coast Democrat]

43. Nader is a gazillionaire too.....

and are you saying he's a good candidate? He's about 75 years old. Even if a third party had a legitimate shot this year, Nader is still a horrible choice to fill that position. I can't imagine a less "presidential" individual to ever run for high public office.

[Onlooker]

53. Naderirtes become Republican when they get older

Nader represents a safe message. His big accomplishments are in the area of consumer rights, but compared with the real American heros, those who fought for civil rights, Nader is not even a footnote. Nader is a safe choice for people of shallow political conviction. He won't win, so there's no risk.

[NJCher]

6. Howard Gardner explains

Here's a fascinating radio show on the psychology of swing voters. It was just aired yesterday:

Go to this link:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/09232004

and scroll to:

Dr. Howard Gardner
Dr. Howard Gardner on the psychology of swing voters.

Gardner explains how the republicans did what you describe above.

Gardner says that if things stay the way they are, bush will win. The Republicans have effectively reframed him.

What I think will happen, however, is that the national mood will change. Things in Iraq are so bad now and bush is so deluded that I think people will be sick of the cowboy and want to go for a serious personality like Kerry. In other words, prez as drinking buddy is getting old.

Another element in the mix is that Kerry has moved his strategy from talking about a lot of different issues to one of hammering on bush's incompetence and "bad choices." If he keeps it up, this will hit home.

Republicans are using sophisticated corporate marketing and sales and mass psychology to win these elections. The Democrats must employ the same tactics.


Cher

[Ripley]

8. Very good point.

Things in Iraq are so bad now and bush is so deluded that I think people will be sick of the cowboy and want to go for a serious personality like Kerry. In other words, prez as drinking buddy is getting old.

While Kerry needs to smile at times to show he's "likeable"... I think the serious problems of the economy and Iraq are what people care about. I think King Smirk was very flippant about the war in his little conference yesterday. I can only hope he will try to act good ole boy at the debates and end up looking like a frat-boy, playboy, drunken sot next to the statesman. That image will be rememeberd by people in the voting booth.

[Mistress Quickly]

9. I'm worried

that people are going to just stick with who is in office, because "it doesn't matter" and its just easier. At least they know where "he stands" (no matter its on their backs). Apathy.

Of course, here in GA, it doesn't really matter anyway. * sigh *

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. Where does he stand, exactly?

"At least they know where "he stands" Calling Kerry a "flip flopper" is just more projection from the Party of Flipper Floppers.

[Mistress Quickly]

16. My using quotation marks

is identifying what people tell me: he'll stay the course (cringe), lower taxes, strengthen the economy blah blah blah - whatever they're fed on the daily talk circuit. WSB Radio in Atlanta is the biggest whore of the hate radio crap.

Sorry, it gets frustrating at times in GA because I feel very very alone. There aren't a lot of true Democrats outside of Atlanta. Just the Zell Miller "Democrats", and we all know what they are: Republicans.

[Guaranteed]

10. Sounds like Kerry needs to get them to like him

and to be more specific about what he's going to do to protect the country.

[July]

11. If they are undecideds, why do they take one side's PR as truth?

Doesn't anyone who's undecided say to himself, "Gee, Bush wants to beat Kerry, so he's going to try to label him, maybe I shouldn't take their label seriously until I know if it makes sense."

And these military undecideds -- if they were alive during the Vietnam war, they know that John Kerry wasn't the only guy who served and then opposed the war. Again, why is the "traitor" label accepted without question?

Just ask them WHY they take Republicans' views of Kerry, which are certain to be negative, to be the truth about him. Ask them to look at why Kerry's SUPPORTERS like him before they make up their minds.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. Undecideds are swayed by prejudice

it's why they began burying Kerry with negative ads back in June.
Negatives are hard to shake.

[NJCher]

14. it's also because republicans paint with emotion

As Gardner points out in the above program, people are not swayed by reason. They are swayed by emotion. While people say they don't like negative campaigning, it works and Gardner offers some interesting perspectives on that, too.

I would also add--for those of you who are depressed, go see these threads with new poll data from credible pollsters:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x857791

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x892426

edited to add bush's approval is at its lowest point ever:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x892563

Our candidate has come back from these attacks but the question is, what else do they have in store? I'm sure they're saving their best material for right before the election.


Cher

[mbee]

15. Write your cable companies and tell them you will not continue to

subscribe unless they start giving us really fair and balanced news programming not National Enquirer Live programming like faux news, etc. I just wrote them and got an immediate answer with all the excuses in the world. I told them I hope scores of people cancel their cable if they don't clean up their act.

[KC21304]

17. I will say it again as I have for the past 4 weeks.

We now know the media will show up if Kerry calls a news conference.
He needs to read his 1971 testimony, to refute the Swift liars, and he needs to read his speech to the Senate before the IWR vote and say he will put his pre-war statements up against Bush's prewar speech to the UN and Bush's reason for war statement to Congress and let the people decide who has been more consistant and truthful.

And then he should take questions. This needs to be done before the first debate.

Is it true answers are going to be only 30 sec in debate? Bush's attention span. This is outrageous if true.

[Clinton Crusader]

18. While this is all depressing...

it's true.

Im finding alot of people, even those compl. with Kerry are losing it. The overriding reason? He's not forceful enough, he doesnt come across. And they all spout about the media whore lies about him. THEY DO STICK. Even people firmly in his corner and shaking their heads saying WHEN are they gonna come out swinging?? Everyone said before, 'give it time, it'll come", but time is running out. The Dems had BETTER stop thinking that a nice guy routine is gonna work.

Of course the debates are crucial, but again asshat smirk will come across as the down home guy and the sheeple ae so easily manipulated, they'll go "awwwwww, he's not such a bad guy". Kerry has to pound him on every mistake and not let him off the hook.

Wish I saw 'more Carville' in this campaign. The nice guy stuff isnt working with undecideds at all. And with whores like Tweety giving SBL's all the time in the world to spout their crap but saying about TANG, get over a 30 yr old story, makes me wanna puke.
:kick:

[NoBorders]

33. I have not heard kerry as Nice Guy lately

I don't watch TV news, but the Kerry I have been hearing lately is far more agressive than he was just 2 weeks ago.

[ClassWarrior]

19. Believe it or not, most people STILL aren't paying much attention.

The debates and "The Closer" will go a long way toward introducing folks to JK and making them comfortable with him. And, of course, WE NEED TO BE OUT THERE EVERY DAY, GOING FROM DOOR TO DOOR, INTRODUCING FOLKS TO HIM. Call your JK/JE HQ TODAY!!

23.

[NinetySix]

20. Twain and Aesop

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" --Mark Twain


The Hare and the Tortoise

A HARE one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on
with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

Slow but steady wins the race.


Don't worry, folks. This is far from over yet.

[AP]

21. The solution is phone banking and precinct walking. It's what you're doing

If every one of us did this before the election, and brought a friend, it would offset the media.

[SeekingTruth]

23. Quit worrying until....

a week or so after the first debate. The first debate will be the most important of the debates. When Kerry shows, and he will, that he can stand on the same stage as Bush, the numbers are going to change. I really believe this.

One aspect with the most fervent of DU'ers is that they follow Kerry like he is a rock star - the devour his appearances, every speech and so on. The average voter doesn't. Hell, I missed the press conference (Bush and his Iraqi puppet) yesterday and searched like heck for it and didn't get to see it. Many of the Du'ers got to see it. My point is, the first debate will probably be the one with the greatest ratings and when Kerry shines, things will turn around.

So quit worrying until that happens.

[Awsi Dooger]

48. Agreed, Bush's lead and Kerry's "weaknesses" can evaporate next Thursday

As long as the race is competitive, anxiety prior to the first debate is misplaced. Virtually every presidential race featuring debates dating to 1960 has swung considerably due to the debates.

I have great confidence in Kerry's ability to frame the race in Miami. His appearance on Letterman was indicative he has isolated the talking points and is forceful in presenting them. Indeed, many people who do not care for Bush will be getting their first real exposure to Kerry next Thursday, and I'm betting they will leave impressed.

Changing the topic of the first debate from domestic to foreign policy should benefit Kerry as well. The questions about Kerry are flip flopping and preparedness as a leader against terrorirt threats. In my travels this summer, the average Joe and Jane emphasized those concerns and little else when Kerry's name came up. Some blunt common sense decisiveness regarding his plans for Iraq and defending this country in general should quell both concerns. The operative word is fear, as another poster mentioned below in this thread. If swing voters leave debate number one no longer afraid Kerry is much weaker than Bush in defending this nation, the polls should surge in our favor. If Kerry is unprepared or fails to make that case, he deserves to lose, and will.

I have also noticed the foreign policy debates tend to be the most serious of the three. Bush's so-called likeability edge probably won't be as much of a factor as normal.

[bush equals idiot]

24. My friends, relax.

There are so many reasons I don't know where to start.

Bush's only hope is that he makes people believe he's better in the war on terror. This is so abusurd, it will be laughable when it's explained to the people and Bush has to sit there while it happens in front of 100 million people.

He's the CAUSE of the terror! If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't need to BE a war on terror. Did it ever occur to anybody that Bush was the "President" when the planes hit the towers. Does anybody think if Curly of the Three Stooges had been President when that happened that he wouldn't have gone to the site, put his arm around a fireman and said "This act against America will not stand. We will seek out those who did this and bring them to justice?" Clem Kaddidlehopper would have done that. And this is supposed to qualify him to be hailed as though he was the one that invented penicillin??

Somebody who was indeed COMPETENT to be President would have quietly and covertly assembled a special operatives military force, obtained the intelligence and destroyed the people who were actually responsible for THE ATTACK! Not gone and invaded a country that his own counter intelligence expert told him had absolutely nothing to do with it. That's insane!

Not only that. He even rejected three separate plans drawn up by his own Pentagon to take out Al Zarqawi. He's the one now in Iraq cutting peoples heads off and is the second most wanted terrorist in the world. His own Pentagon gave him three separate times, only months apart, where they knew where he was and they could have killed him. But Bush rejected all three. And you know why? Because he told them he didn't want to jeopardize his plans to invade Iraq. WHAT???????

And this is the man who claims he should be hailed as the "EXPERT" on the war on terror? Pu-lease. He's only been able to brainwash people with this bullshit because he only talks to pre-selected crowds, has held only 14 new conferences in 4 years (daddy Bush had 142), and the media are practically all Bush worshippers.

But Thursday night, there's nowhere to run..nowhere to hide, no loyalty oaths. All of America is going to hear the facts! His crown of self ordained Pope for keeping America safe is coming off. And he's going to be exposed for the moron, incompetent and profiteer on American lives that he's been. He will be squirming like a one year old with a diaper full of piss.

[Generator]

26. Hey nice post

Welcome to DU, I share your outrage, especially about our great leader in the war on terror who is probably the most responsible party for all it (wait that's really Dick-the co-president, we have a man that wasn't able to explain his actions on 9/11 by himself and he wants to be elected for it).

Re opening thread:
I don't understand how you can hate one boyfriend and not want a new one. If this country is a nation of self-haters, then Bush is their man. Continue to destroy yourself out of fear. The only thing I despise more than lies is fear. No wonder I'm going crazy in this anomaly of American history.

[onecent]

28. Excellent post! Welcome to DU

May I use part of this in a letter?

[richgriffin]

37. the lunch roundtable discussions

On Saturdays I go out with a disparate group of voters, and we discuss the issues of the day - what has struck me is the way they cannot think clearly when it comes to their feelings of terror and their ideas about safety. Everything is upside down, and they really believe they are "safer" due to king George being in the oval office. FEAR is the single motivating factor! None of these people actually like him, but their fear of death gets in the way.

[masonfl]

25. A little inside scoop

I have some friends who know the Kerry crowd pretty well - meaning the people who are now running the campaign. They said that, while he can be exasperating as a candidate, he always pulls it together at the last minute. This is a bit like the "good closer" reputation that you've probably heard about. The only nuance here is that he's famous for pissing off his supporters until the very end when he reminds people why he's actually a great candidate.

Don't lose hope. This race is far from over.

[marlakay]

27. How many years has Kerry been senator and won??

Is it twenty? or around that? Why would he keep winning over and over and over if he wasn't a good senator? I just got back from vacation in Hawaii, while there I met a republican couple from Boston that loved Kerry. Why, you may ask? Because when I was upset about an issue ten years ago he wrote me back personally!!! So they are voting for him and say he's a great senator. Lots of people in his state feel that way. So out on the campaign trail you can say not just against Bush but Kerry is a great guy, his people love him, even some of the republicans in the state!

[Night Gal]

50. How many Senators have been elected Pres since 1900???

Five

1-2-3-4-5

That's it (Harding, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon).

Why?
Because they have an easily referenced record of voting, speeches, etc.....

This is why governors make better national candidates.

Kerry's record of being the most liberal member of the Senate has hurt him if only from the FACT that his own Campaign NEVER mentions it. They knew before nominating him (as they knew after 2000) that this country would welcome a "moderate - liberal" but not a true die hard liberal.

We nominated the wrong man for Pres. Edwards would have been much more electable IMNSHO and would have been a cinch for re-election in '08, BUT that would eliminate WHO as a candidate for '08?

[IdaBriggs]

55. You've been listening to the freepers too much.

Kerry is NOT the most liberal member of the Senate. (That was a distortion by a right wing rag.) Sounds like you think the whole Hillary in 08 thing is the issue -- a freeper issue.

His Senate record is extremely impressive. (Actual data: http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/issues/legislation.html#) Why not go to the John Kerry website and take a look at it? 58 bills passed (compared to Cheney's=2), concentrating on issues like Anti-Corruption, Environment, Police, Guns, Vets, Kids & More.

Snips from the website: http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/archives/002284.html#002284

"John Kerry has a distinguished legislative record. He and John McCain negotiated an agreement with Vietnam to provide a full accounting for POW-MIAs. He wrote the first bill reducing acid rain. He has repeatedly led the charge in protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling. He has passed legislation that shut down money laundering activities of terrorists and drug traffickers.

"President Clinton Praised Kerry for Putting 100,000 Cops on the Street – “When we tried to get past six years of talking tough on crime but nothing happening, rhetoric and rhetoric and rhetoric and no action, to put 100,000 police on the street, to ban deadly assault weapons to pass the Brady bill, the other side, led the fight against it. But John Kerry helped us pass the toughest, smartest, best crime bill this country has seen in many a day, and the crime rate has gone down for four years in a row. John Kerry was on the right side of history.”

"Democratic Leader Tom Daschle Says Kerry Knows How to Get the Legislative Job Done in the Senate - Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle had kind words for John Kerry’s work on Campaign Finance Reform when he asked Kerry to chair the Democratic Steering Committee: "From our teen-smoking bill to HMO reform and Campaign Finance Reform (my bold), John Kerry has demonstrated that he clearly knows how to get the job done. He is a valued and trusted member of our leadership team, and I am pleased he has accepted another term as Chairman of the Steering and Coordination Committee."

"Even Dr. Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader Says Kerry’s Global AIDS Legislation is a “Huge Step Forward”: “’The Kerry-Frist bill is a huge step forward,” said Frist. “It further validates U.S. leadership in the global effort to end devastation many countries face in the fight against HIV/AIDS (my bold)’.”

"Legislative Achievements: 58 bills and resolutions John Kerry has sponsored over the years have passed the U.S. Senate. Countless others have been improved because of his work, including the Clean Air Act, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the COPS program.

"John Kerry has taken on the special interests and won. He fought against Newt Gingrich’s anti-labor and anti-environmental regulatory reform. He has fought to raise the minimum wage. He has worked to shut down wasteful corporate subsidies. And John Kerry played an important role in the effort to reach a settlement with the tobacco companies that ended marketing to children and teenagers."

Still not convinced? Here's another bit:

"One of Kerry's main accomplishments in the Senate was not a piece of legislation, but rather taking the lead in the war on terror. In 1986, he formed "The Kerry Committee" to investigate allegations of illegal gun-running and narcotics trafficking by the CIA and State Department. The Kerry Committee's report eventually led to:

The Iran-Contra hearings

Uncovering Manuel Noriega’s involvement with drug-running and his ties to the CIA

The downfall of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), through which Noriega had laundered money

Kerry's persistence in shutting down money laundering operations and the selling of arms to terrorists angered some of his colleagues, particularly when he put a powerful fellow democrat (my bold) on the witness stand - Clark Clifford, who represented BCCI."

Now, what part of that don't you think is impressive? :)

I also like the fact Kerry was a member of the Senate. With the huge mess we’ve got going on right now, we need a guy who can “hit the ground running” when it comes to working with Congress, and Kerry has shown over the last twenty years that he can work with BOTH SIDES to get important legislation passed. (Remember that the Senate has been under Republican control for a lot of that time period.) Despite the heavy partisanship that comes with an election, Kerry has managed to keep a decent relationship going with his Senate colleagues, and counts McCain as a friend. (I’m hoping he picks him for his cabinet!) I want a guy who can work with both sides of the aisle, and Kerry has proven he can do that. Do we even need to talk about Bush’s nonexistent history of “bi-partisanship”?

[roseBudd]

29. Ohio here. i am using flyers to get the message out

The only way we can outmarket them is to use grassroots flyers.

I have spent the whole week putting up flyers on bulletin boards, utility poles, black barber shops and bus stops. The draft alert flyer is remarkably effective at starting draft panic with minimal effort in the black community.

We need MoveOn to initiate a 500 flyers per member drive.

Go to http://somnamblst.tripod.com to download high resolution TIF or PDF files to print.

[bush equals idiot]

30. To onecent.

It would be my pleasure. I also wrote an email to the Kerry campaign too telling them in no uncertain terms they should stop this respectfull, mild mannered milk toast bullshit and rip Bush up one side and down the other...if anybody would like to see it. I want Kerry to slam his fist on the podium and rip into him like Al Sharpton.

[DesEtoiles]

31. An undecided voter told me this today, in detail:

Asked my undecided-voter secretary about the election. Tried not to lead her, but did press her a little here and there. This is what she told me.

Her demographics: Woman. Early 50's. Secretary at law firm. Divorced. One daughter, early 20's, who had a baby when she was 18 and unmarried. The three of them live together and she is taking an active role in raising her grandson. Chronic health problems with her grandson.

Not decided - probably will not decide till very last minute but WILL vote for someone. Described that her final decision will be sort of a gut decision. Couldn't really elaborate. Something like, at the heart of it, who will be best for America. But unclear what her criteria is (even to her). I think a large part of it is values.

Would have a much easier time deciding if Edwards was at top of ticket. Likes that Edwards is a self-made man from humble beginnings. Respects that. Doesn't know much about Kerry. May do some research on him.

Completely discounts what candidates say - it is all rhetoric to get votes. Doesn't expect any of them to follow-through. Don't think debates will have much of an effect on her, but acknowledges that "something big" will happen before election that will tip her vote. Appears to be waiting for the undetermined "something big" that will help her make her decision.

Patriot Act -does not know much about it. More concerned about taking God out of pledge or prayers out of football games. Govt does not have a right to say that you can't pray. But agrees govt also does not have a right to interfere with women's reproductive rights.

Believes Kerry made Vietnam the center of his campaign and then had to backtrack when he was criticized. Has a real problem with what Kerry said when he came back from the war. Not very concerned about Bush's lack of service - more concerned about what the president will do in the next 4 years. Overall does not think military service should be an issue.

How will Kerry get any initiatives through a Republican Congress, she wonders.

All sides are controlled by special interests, etc.

Has a real problem with some things Bush has done. Thinks he is arrogant and not humble. Used the word "aggressive" as a negative against him.

Draft? Seemed not to have considered the possibility. Then responded that older people would like a draft. I asked, you mean they would send their children and grandchildren to Iran? North Korea? Gave her a couple reasons why there could be a draft (back door draft now, troops over extended, mandate to continue neocon agenda). Didn't seem to faze her too much. She said, do you think that there wouldn't be enough volunteers?

[Barney Rocks]

32. Please tell me more about

how to deal with this set of beliefs. I am coming across people who believe similarly nearly every day.

What disturbs me is that they are not readily swayed by the things that us DUers have id'd as good issues to sway them (like the draft). I am very frustrated in trying to win these people over.

We need to come up with some good talking points.

[DesEtoiles]

40. I feel like they want some affirmation that their belief in God is import

important to Kerry. Like he simply needs to give them some warm fuzzies and praise them for their faith and assure them that the last thing he wants to do is to impede or interfere with their beliefs.

[Barney Rocks]

44. Ianm, I think that is

a very astute observation. You really know what is important to these folks! I hope Kerry does this!

[IdaBriggs]

56. Can you pm me? I will send you the data. nt

[KoKo]

47. I've talked some folks exactly like this. I can't get a hook to really

find a way to reach them. I hear "morality" and I say but what about going into Iraq when they didn't find WMD...and I hear: "Well, everyone thought they were there..what's he supposed to do, pull out, we can't do that."

I hear that Bush is moral and that Democrats aren't because of Clinton. I have to leave that because there's no way to convince them. Lumping Clinton's thing with Monica in with the whole Dem party saying we are all immoral is too much for me to deal with. But I've heard the above from at least five people I've talked to who really aren't sure about Bush, and who've voted Dem before. But, they also voted Repug before...These people so far don't seem to be worried about the economy, jobs, retirement, SS or draft. It's like ..."Well that just won't happen to me." :shrug:

Our best hope is maybe they just won't show up at the polls if they are undecided. Rather lose a vote for Bush than gain one if that's what it has to come down to. :shrug: If we can get our Dems enthused to the polls we will win, maybe the rest will decide Bush is going to win and they will stay home...

[kodi]

34. denying a president a 2nd term is essentially regicide by plebescite

and even the peasants are uncomfortable with that.

[MUSTANG_2004]

41. Run that theory by...

Run that theory by George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Jerry Ford. I don't think any of us "peasants" were uncomfortable kicking them out of office.

[kodi]

45. indicating the requirement for a high level of agitation from them first

see that this time, do you?

[Heath.Hunnicutt]

42. Thank you for posting!

It's great to see a useful and sensible report like this.

[sampsonblk]

49. I'm hearing the same in PA, my response is...

This week I heard: Well Kerry isn't going to do any better? What's he going to do?

I suggest responding with: So I should vote for the guy who got us into this mess because there's a chance the other guy might not be able to get us out?

[JPJones]

51. Posts like this do nothing but encourage the freepers

Look at all the gloating freepers on the thread.

You need to keep in mind that the names you get from the Kerry campaign are the undecided idiots. It's your job to set them straight.

[bklyncowgirl]

54. I hear you

Kerry has to reach these people where they're at.

Swift boat vets got to them because they are real people who do not appear to be politically motivated.

I had a lady come into the library looking for "Unfit for Command" because she wanted to see what "all those veterans on TV were talking about." The book was still on order and in explaining why it was taking so long to get it through our usual channels, I was able to mention that we did not order it in advance because the publisher kept it under wraps because it was part of a political attack and meant to be a surprise. She seemed to have no idea that this was part of a coordinated effort and not just a sincere statement by a group of honest men who thought that their former comrade in arms was not fit to be commander in chief.

Someone like this woman would not read the devestating analysis of the SBVT claims in the NYT and other newspapers. She probably saw these guys on the morning talk shows and, as they were aided and abetted by hosts who she no doubt likes and trusts because otherwise why would she spend her morning with them, had no grounds to dismiss their claims.

Interestingly, this is the only person who has actually asked for the book at our library.

Kerry's making a good start by doing Letterman, Regis & Kelli, Dr. Phil, etc. This approach worked for Clinton. He also has to deal with the Swift Boaters in a way that both explains their conduct, and while stating that they are not telling the truth, expresses sorrow at their betrayal and demonstrates that his protests against the Vietnam war were an indication of courage and leadership.

I think he can still win this but that's the mindset out there.