GOP's fierce attacks contrast with Democrats' restraint

[JaneQPublic]

BY STEVEN THOMMA
Knight Ridder Newspapers

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/9556231.htm

Republicans are going after John Kerry at their national convention with a vengeance. (snip) The blunt attack presents a stark contrast to the Democratic National Convention's ginger treatment of Bush. There, Kerry and his forces shied away from much direct criticism of the president, confident that nearly a year of describing him as a liar and a buffoon had already taken its toll. They were also fearful that more criticism might backfire, especially with swing voters who retain an affection for Bush despite misgivings about his policies.

...(snip)

Of course, both parties desperately want to win, but the very different approaches they took at their conventions raises the question of why Democrats didn't criticize Bush more directly, and why Republicans attacked Kerry head-on.

For the Democrats, there were three main reasons why Kerry aides tempered most criticisms of Bush. First, they thought Bush already was vulnerable, thanks to setbacks in Iraq, net job losses during his presidency and a still shaky economic recovery, particularly in such battleground states as Ohio and Michigan. (snip) Second, Bush remains personally popular with the American people. (snip) Finally, Kerry has a difficult time going after Bush where he's most vulnerable - the war in Iraq.

Republicans believe they have more leeway to blast Kerry. (snip) First, Kerry is at best unknown and at worst unliked. (snip) Second, Kerry left his public record open for Bush to define.

MORE...

[Democat]

1. "Kerry left his public record open for Bush to define..."

Why did he do that?

Kerry's campaign has not been very effective at defining himself, instead, letting Republicans do it for him.

[peaches2003]

2. Kerry today?

Kerry had better come out this morning and blast those sob's who impugned not only his patriotism but his manhood last night. If he is windsurfing today and not on the air it is over.

[Catfight]

3. Kerry needs to show the dichotomy of Cheney being nasty and rude

attacking and ugly yet wanting to PORTRAY himself as compassionate. He should also state how cowardly Bush is and Cheney for using Kerry's record instead of their own! Bush is always riding on SOMEONE ELSE'S coat-tails! It's time he either COMES FORWARD as a leader or BACK OFF as a coward behind Cheney and his brute force bullies!

[USA_1]

4. "restraint"

The public sees the Democratic failure to answer forcefully as a sign of weakness. Unless something is done soon to answer the Pukes' baseless charges, Kerry's slim lead in the polls will disappear.

[David Dunham]

5. Our "restraint" is enabling Bush to be 10-15% ahead as of 9/4

Kerry's failure to run ads since March to drive up Bush's negatives is now going to allow Bush to get a huge bounce and take a 10-15% lead in polls. Zogby, even before Bush speaks tonight, shows a 6-8% gain among likely voters. Notably, Zogby has been the most Kerry-friendly pollster and the most accurate in the past 3 elections.