why are there so many undecided voters?

[still_one]

What bothers me is that these undecided voters indicate that they do not know where Kerry stands on the issues

To me that is a very telling sign that the campaign is not getting its message accross effectively

There better turn this around within the next two week or we are screwed

I don't think that we can say the debates will save us, they are even really debates...

[veteran_for_peace]

1. I spoke with an Undecided this weekend

I asked this lady why she was undecided, and she told me that she could decide who better protect her. This lady was a registered democrat.

[still_one]

5. That really pisses me off

First of all the Democrats should know better, and Second that means the scare tactics are working

[flaminbats]

9. say again???

?:shrug:?

[veteran_for_peace]

11. I didn't know what to say to this lady.

I want to reach through the phone and slap her around. I also thought what about 20 bucks to vote for Kerry.

[flaminbats]

22. maybe I should start with the original idea before responding to messages.

this lady sounds like an idiot. Assuming she can read, perhaps Bob Graham's book might be the best start.

[shane7726]

2. It's not that there are so many

The problem is that both parties have to cater so much to them. JOhn Kerry and George Bush know that htey have their bases secure so they have to try to win over a small percentage of voters

[still_one]

6. Here is a Zogby poll from Maine to emphasis my point

Zogby did a poll for the Portland Press Herald for Maine

Results are the following:

9/9/04
bush 43
Kerry 43
nader 3
unsure 11

Approval:

bush 51 favorable 47 unfavorable 3 other
Kerry 48 favorable 46 unfavorable 6 other

"Do you think President Bush deserves to be reelected, or do you think it is time for someone new?"

Deserves reelection 43
Someone new 53
unsure 4


The majority in Maine want someone new, bush and Kerry are tied, but there are 11% unsure

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. all elections have them

and most of these folks will make up their minds at the last possible second



Now this is why getting the vote out is SO CRITICAL ok

[movonne]

4. Who are the indecideds .... I think Kerry's message is getting out

there. Why do you think that it is not. Just because the media says so.

[schultzee]

7. If you heard Tweety Bird last, you know the media is doing all it

can to boost the shurb and hurt Kerry. They want more deregulation and its shrub's promise to give it. We no longer have a real media. CBS was very courageous to do what it did to that weak wimp who talked big about supporting the Vietnam war, and then getting out of it.

[still_one]

8. No, because Zogby says it isn't

screw the media, most people don't listen to the media

most people know where bush stands, and I do not think they like it, that is why there are up to 8% undecideds in some of the states

[OnionPatch]

10. It's the media stupid

(not calling YOU stupid)
Kerry's message is out there but the media is making sure it isn't easy to find. We can find out the horse-race data as quick as a click on the comuputer, but who is broadcasting about the issues? The nature of these undecided people is that they don't pay attention in the first place (or they would already know who they're voting for.) They are the ones who are totally oblivious about politics except for the day before election day. They are vulnerable to the one-liner slogans and bumper stickers. It's pathetic that these are the people who will decide who our next president will be.

[still_one]

12. OK fine

How do we get the message out to the undecided?

[BeaverFever]

14. You can't

In general, the "undecided" are the people who aren't paying attention. If one has a particular set of values, and one has listened to the presidential candidates (with and without media filters), one has long since decided which of the candidates one agress with more.

[Qutzupalotl]

16. If they're under 35, tell them about the draft.

How the Selective Service Board was given a $22 million boost recently. How they're planning to institute a bigger draft this time, ages 18-34, men and women. If Bush gets a second term, the draft will happen in 2005. If Kerry wins, he'll still enlarge the military force, but with volunteers (see johnkerry.com for details).

[BeaverFever]

19. What draft?

I remember Al Sharpton suggesting instituting a draft, but I can't remember the Bush campaign doing it. Can you point me at an article or press release so I can read it? Also, can you point me at the section of johnkerry.com that has the details. I looked for a few minutes, and I couldn't find it (I assumed it would be under National Security or Homeland Security). Thanks.

[Qutzupalotl]

20. This one.

They won't come out and say it, because they're afraid of losing the election. But they need it to keep hold of Iraq. That's why they're gearing up the Selective Service quietly.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2346582
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2342644


Here is Kerry's plan:
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/national_service/


It wasn't Al Sharpton, that was Charlie Rangel. (I realize they may look alike to you.) And it wasn't a draft he proposed, it was mandatory service, meaning rich people can't weasel out of it.

[BeaverFever]

23. Why the hate?

It's not related to anyone "looking alike." It's been several months since I saw it, and my memory isn't perfect. I was asking a question. Do you belittle everyone you attempt to educate? Save the hate.
The President, regardless of party, can't institute a draft. That power belongs to Congress. I don't understand how you can oppose someone for a policy he doesn't advocate, particularly when he doesn't have the authority to carry it out. Surely there are better things to oppose Bush (or support Kerry) on.
Congress will not approve a draft. Doing so for anything short of a direct attack on U.S. siol by a foreign government would be political suicide.

[Qutzupalotl]

24. Political suicide?

If he gets a second term, he won't have to worry about "political suicide." And if Republicans control the House, Senate, White House, Judiciary and most of the media, who will stop him?

The fact that Bush isn't speaking about a draft publicly, but behind the scenes is mobilizing and funding selective service outlets speaks volumes about his character and true intentions. He needs a draft now, but can't suffer the political fallout in the coming election.

[WMliberal]

13. there'll be about 100 million undecided on election day

the lazy, ignorant masses who don't vote.

[Journeyman]

15. I'm undecided. . .

and I won't make up my mind where in the house to mark my absentee ballot until I actually receive it. Also, I don't know yet if I'll fill in the square for Kerry with an up and down motion from bottom to top, or sideways motion from right to left. Ooh, there's just so much to decide. I do know I'll fill it in with black ink, because that's listed first and I want nothing to go wrong with this ballot. But in the main, I'm still undecided about where and when and how. . . but I've got the who, what and especially why well in hand.

[maxsolomon]

17. 11% undecided?

are they idiots or playing it close to the vest?

i vote idiots.

[msturgis524]

18. They don't pay attention

The undecided are the people who think it doesn't affect them. Who don't watch the news, and who flip straight to the sports section. You know there are alot of times I envy them, maybe then I wouldn't be so mad.

[Blue Wally]

21. No..........

The undecideds are people not real happy with George Bush, yet are not convinced that John kerry would be any better. That is how they feel and we have to deal with that perception, not by attacking Bush, but by standing for something. We badly need a Democratic "Contract With America" with firm committments to specific things, not vague political promises.

[msturgis524]

25. I Completely agree