Why has Kerry not tried to turn this flip flop charge around on Bush?

[PlanetBev]

He can do this at any time. All he has to do is hold a press conference and list the different times that Bush has changed his mind. Bush stonewalled the 9/11 Commission, then went with it when pressured, made that statement that we can't win the war on terrorism, then the next day said we could.

I don't understand why Kerry just can't say, "who is Bush to call me a flip flopper?", etc, etc. Why is he letting these smears stick to him?

I'm sorry, but I'm frustrated. This just seems so obvious to me.

[cidliz2004]

1. Your right

Who knows? I think at this stage however, it may be a waste of precious campaigning time to try this.

[jpgray]

2. Don't you remember grade school?

You're a stupid-head!

Yeah, well you're *really* a stupid-head!

Just yelling back someone's attack isn't an effective strategy--in fact it makes you look weak and unable to come up with your own criticisms. Just lamely lobbing those of others back at them, no matter what the truth is, will not be effective. In any case, the media will not stand for it.

[Sparkly]

8. That's why the RNC always hits its opponents with its own candidates'

flaws and weaknesses, early on and non-stop.

[Kahuna]

28. Yep. They project their weaknesses on to their opponents....When

will our guys learn? It's so frustrating.

[nikatnyte]

3. No -- the repugs own the term "flip flopper"

Unfortunately, the repugs have done a masterful job in associating the term "flip flop" with Kerry. That's who people think of when they hear that term, even when it's directed at Bush. The worst thing Kerry can do is use the same term in describing his opponent -- it only reminds voters of his purported "flip flops" and comes across as weak and defensive. Kerry should point out Bush's many examples of hypocrisy and deceit but avoid the "F" word.

[PlanetBev]

4. I understand what you guys are saying

You're probably right, I just wish to hell Kerry had come up with his own zinger.

[Guaranteed]

5. "WRONG" is working well

:)

[markus]

6. This is a tremendous mistake

I learned on my first major campaign (in 1986) that if you can turn your opponents attacks back on them, and just generally muddle the issue in voter's eyes, the attack is moot.

It requires quick response, including possibly rolling out an add is as little as 48-72 hours, but it can be done. And, if done right, the "issue" (which is often a non-isssue) just goes away.

[stellanoir]

7. stay tuned. . .

Bush is a total flop.

Kerry has a strategy, I'm sure.

[guitar man]

9. Normally, I wouldn't think it a good idea

to recycle an opponent's attack and turn it around, but we're getting beat to death with this thing and it wouldn't be hard to clearly illustrate who the real flip-flopper is. *'s hypocracy is pretty plain to see if people are just shown.

[misterphelps]

10. Calling bush a "flip flopper" looks weak

It's obviously a reactionary statement... If you want to make that point (and he should) he's got to use another term... Maybe "moron", or "slacker", or "missing in action", perhaps "two faced"

Unfortunately "flip flop" is now owned by the repugs

[markus]

17. Yes, he needed dto do it right away

If you can basically get the same message out on paid and third party media, you can negate their attack.

But you must be quick.

Now, it's too late.

If we win, it will be inspite of the "flip-flop" attach.

[goclark]

21. Rethugs own "flip flop"

They do not own FLOP!

Bush is a flop..say it loud and say it all the time.

[fishface]

11. He needs to stick * with the 'lying a-hole' label.

Point out how he mislead his own congress on Mediscam, lied to rescue workers at ground zero,about the reasons for the war,etc.

[LibDemAlways]

13. I agree, but I don't like how

Kerry is pussy-footing around the word "liar." "Misleading" or "Misrepresenting" isn't nearly harsh enough language for what the chimp has done. Lies that get people killed should be called just that - "lies."

[ShaneGR]

12. Article in yesterdays Washington Post shows we already are....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43093-2004Sep22.html

[elsiesummers]

14. Kerry advantage - embrace the label - Rove spun Bush=dummy positively

Kerry can use the charge to point out he is capable of complex decisions - Kerry thinks on his feet. Kerry adjusts battle plans and strategies under ever changing circumstances. Kerry makes complex decisions in ever changing times. Kerry rethinks things when new and better information is made available. Kerry reacts to new information by making informed decisions - adjusting tactics and strategies as situations change. This is the strategy of a great leader - ability to adjust tactics and strategies as circumstances warrant.

Kerry makes informed decisions.

(This is also what makes Kerry a good closer).

Bush W=Wrong/stubborn/bullheaded - Bush is incapable of admitting mistakes and becomes married to bad decisions. Even in light of new information Bush is incapable of making informed decisions. Bush makes simplistic ill informed judgements based on out of date information and never adjusts to changing circumstances, changing times.

Example: When the Bushies took office they were offered new info suggesting that there was no link between between Al Quaida and Saddam and that Al Quaida was the greater threat - but because they had made the decision to go into Iraq before ever taking office Bush was incapable of shifting tactics to the circumstances which had changed. It was as if they were still operating on the info from when Bush the Elder had left office - and changing circumstances of the eight years of Clinton presidency were irrelevant to Bush because

Bush is incapable of informed judgement.

Example 2: Bush Tax Cuts. Bush planned long term tax cuts at the time of surplusses and a great economy. When the economy turned south, defence expenses went up and revenue shortfalls ocurred Bush continued with his old plan - living in the past - rather than creating short term stimulous and cancelling unaffordable long term tax cuts despite changed circumstance.

Bush lives in past despite changing circumstances, is married to ill informed decisions in the face of new contradictory information.

Example 3: Iraq. In the face of losing a war Bush is incapable of adjusting strategies - he won't try to get more UN help, he won't up the troop number substantially and he won't pull out - just stays in with too few troops fighting a war of attrition.

Bush is like a bad stock market investor - after losing 10% won't sell but instead waits until the stock goes to zero. Bush doesn't know when to fold 'em. Bush is incapable of changing his mind (lives in "fantasy world") where he never makes mistakes, never has to adjust for errors or changing circumstances.

As for Bush flip-flops - like the mercury ruling or the CO2 emmission standard - well they are simply lies that Bush told for political expedience - not really flip flops.


We need nimble leader in ever changing times.

[Rambis]

15. HE IS SAYING IT EVERY STOP!

Read the transcripts of his speeches. No one is covering it on the news, no one. They only want sound bites not substance of any kind.

[Julien Sorel]

16. Yet another instance of someone

asking why the Kerry campaign doesn't do something it has already been doing for months. Bush's flip flops have been part of Kerry's stump speech since at least August. There have been a couple of media reports, and then nothing. AP ran a story a few weeks ago on Bush's flip flops that was almost verbatim taken from Kerry's stump speech.


Just out of curiosity, did you bother to see if Kerry had done anything along these lines, or did you simply decide that he's too stupid to do something like this, so he needs you guidance?

[Kahuna]

30. Oh. I'm sorry. I must have missed the AD where Kerry labeled..

bush a flip flopper. :eyes: Stating it on the stump is not the question or the issue.

[markus]

18. Um, uh.

Has anybody clicked on the "two-faced" link at the bottom of the page? Have you noticed it's a paid placement?

Perhaps they are *finally* getting their skirts together.

[seabeyond]

19. at the debates.....when bush says something about kerry ff

just come back with and talk about flip flops and qickly name of 10 right quick. on national tv

[PlanetBev]

20. HEY, my prayer was answered a few minutes ago!

I was watching the NBC Evening News about the campaign, and they reported that Kerry is going to used the flip-flop charge and turn it around on Bush! They mentioned that one of his targets would be the stonewall on the 9-11 Commission.

I heard Kerry tonight and he ripped quite a few new assholes tonight!

I have hope again!

[Kahuna]

31. Right. Let's hope gets the opportunity to do it.

nt

[johnfunk]

22. Franken's been doing a GREAT job with his "Flippety-floppety" segment

The Kerry posse -- or an enterprising 527 -- should use his material -- right down to the goofy music.

[Kahuna]

32. You mean like in the oil reserves??? Flippity?

:7

[johnfunk]

34. And his opposition to the 9/11 Commission... "Floppity!"

There are dozens of 'em, too...

[BillZBubb]

23. My long held suspicion:

Kerry has been saving a flip-flop tirade for the debates. He'll wait for Bush* to say it--and then he'll shoot him down in raging flames.

I think Kerry should have snuffed this bullshit out last spring when it first came up. But, ripping the Chimperor a fact filled new one during a debate would be a good way to recoup. It would be glorious.

[PlanetBev]

24. I like that, ambused!

"A fact filled new one".

[kentuck]

26. Tactically speaking, it would be most effective as a response...

If Bush charges Kerry as being a flip-flopper, that would be the perfect time to turn the tables on him. It could be a dramatic moment. Repubs own the flip-flop label alright, but they are trying to give it to John Kerry. He should say, No, thanks. :)

[BillZBubb]

29. Exactly, that's what I think Kerry has been planning for a while.

I think he's set several other nice traps for the Chimp as well. If I'm right, the debates should be very good for us.

[John_H]

25. Because * only levels it when he's in front of invite only crowds knowing

that the whores will repeat only his charges, short shrifting any response kerry devises.

True, Kerry should have been doing flip flop ads from the very first airing of the "I voted for it before I voted against it" ads which may have nipped it in the bud in March, but the decision not to was a decision made by the old team. I think the new team will set the trap at the debates, just waiting for chimp to stumble through some version of what his handlers tell him to say about "flip flopping." Then watch out.

[Kahuna]

27. I have no idea, Miss Bevey. They should have done that long ago..

It's too late now. It would look like, "n'yah n'yah, you're the flip flopper. So there." :eyes:

[kentuck]

33. Understanding human nature is a big part of politics....

I think it is possibly a dynamite issue for Kerry - but only if he times it perfectly as a response to Bush directly. We must have the capacity to envision George Bush saying something along the lines of "My opponent said he voted for the $87 billion before he voted against it..." That would be devastating if Kerry did not respond to such a charge or tried to explain it in such a convoluted way as to confuse and discourage the viewers or listeners. That would be the perfect time for Kerry to say something like "What do you call someone who was against the 9/11 commission and then he was for it when he saw that is what the people wanted. What do you call someone who was against Homeland Security until it was obvious the Congress was going to create it with him or without him and then he changed his mind and he was for it? What do you call someone who says he did not think the war on terrorism could be won on one day and then the next day says that the "war on terror" will be won? And he never mentions the word "flip-flopper".. :)