Kerry Tries on Rose-Colored Glasses- power of positive thinking

[papau]

Adding a "morning in America" or "man from Hope" touch of optimism to the Kerry image. Showing you can criticize the country but still believe in it.


http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-optimist7jun07,1,1336457.story?coll=la-news-a_section

Kerry Tries on Rose-Colored Glasses The Democrat, seeking to overcome his too-serious image, seizes the power of positive thinking on the stump and in commercials.

By Matea Gold and Maria L. La Ganga, Times Staff Writers


TOLEDO, Ohio — Sen. John F. Kerry had solemn matters on his mind last week as he took on such weighty issues as nuclear proliferation, bioterrorism and an overtaxed military.

But even as he charged that the Bush administration had failed to effectively confront those concerns, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee tried to strike an optimistic tone.

"I didn't come to Missouri tonight to point out what was wrong," Kerry told a crowd of about 1,500 gathered in a Kansas City airport hanger Wednesday. "I came here tonight to talk about what lies in the future and where we can take America, how we can let America be America again."

The latter phrase, from Langston Hughes' 1938 poem "Let America Be America Again," has been cropping up frequently in Kerry's speeches as he attempts to cast his candidacy in sunny sheen.<snip>

Wayne Fields, director of American culture studies at Washington University in St. Louis, said that for Kerry to successfully project optimism, he had to do more than speak in generalities. "He has to find some way of being convincing without being Pollyannaish," said Fields, the author of a book on presidential rhetoric.
<snip>

[On the Road]

1. Good Move on Kerry's Part

Optimism will get him much farther than criticism. Look what Reagan was able to pull off with the sunny optimism. It's not natural for Kerry, but it may work. And his message does have to be more specific. It's a step in the right direction.

[papau]

2. I agree - the election is always about the future n/t

n/t

[Democat]

3. Especially after this Reagan orgy, Americans will look for optimism

Americans love being told everything is going to be great!

[PVnRT]

5. If Kerry comes out as completely pessimistic

about the future of this country, he's going to lose.

If, however, he offers criticism about the way things are going, but still appears upbeat that his plan can reverse that and return some prosperity and respect to this country, he looks 1000X better.

[Poiuyt]

4. I've been saying that this is what Kerry should do

I'm glad he's finally listening to me

:)

[DaveSZ]

6. He's running a smart campaign

Good for him.