Does Kerry really think that he will win by playing nice?

[question everything]

First, he gets trapped by Bush and said that he would still vote for IWR. Now he condemns the moveon ad because McCain asked him to.

I got news for you, John. McCain is being used by the White House. He suffered the worst attack four years ago and is now being used to campaign for Bush. As far as these "machoman" are concerned, McCain is a sissy.

I have always thought that any of the original candidates would beat Bush in a debate. Now I am not sure. What will you say, John, in a live debate, when Bush asks you, directly, how you would vote on the IWR, knowing what we know now? I don't say that your vote was wrong, but you have to find a better way to reply to this. You don't have to fall into his trap. As a matter of fact, it is appalling that such a simpleton like Bush can trap an intelligent man like yourself.

Stop being nice. You will only lose.

[WilliamPitt]

1. *groan*

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13267-2004Aug18.html

[DemBones DemBones]

18. How many people do you suppose read that commentary in

the Washington Post, Will? How many people heard Tweety and his guest from CQ talking about all this being a PROBLEM for Kerry? How many people heard whatever was being spewed on FOX and CNN, which I'm sure was even less favorable to Kerry?

The meme "John Kerry doesn't stand up for himself" seems to me to be gaining ground and if people believe it, they're going to ask themselves if John Kerry will stand up for the United States. That's a problem, son, I guarantee.

Studies have shown that people say they don't like negative political ads but they are still influenced by those ads. A small study about the SmearVets ad was discussed tonight and the bottom line is that it has influenced some voters to move away from supporting Kerry. I'm not suggesting Kerry should run negative ads but he denounced the MoveOn ad yet it was suggested on "Hardball" that Kerry had been behind MoveOn's ad all along! Heard anyone suggest that Bush* was himself behind the SmearVets ad? Heard Bush* denounce the SmearVets ad? Kerry's getting all the flak, Bush* is getting none. I know the media's corrupt but this isn't helping Kerry.

Nice guys finish last.

[A_Possum]

2. Seems to me it's Bush falling into Kerry's trap

The smearvets are a good example. Kerry just keeps pounding on the issues, staying above the mud-slinging, and waits for the WaPo to get the naval records that PROVE the smearvets are liars. Meanwhile the MoveOn ad merrily points out that Bush was AWOL, but Kerry doesn't take any flak for mudslinging.

Looks pretty darn brilliant, not to say sly, clever and extremely intelligent to me!

I think Kerry can beat Bush at chess. Easy.

[bigtree]

3. Stop misrepresenting Kerry's campaign

Do you really think you can help Kerry win by trying to convince folks Kerry is a loser?

[A_Possum]

4. In fact, now that I think about McCain...

I'm not so sure he's not in on all of it. Starting with the talk of VP. He's in a nice position to stab Bush in the back.

[JI7]

5. he isn't playing nice, but a lot of people who complain don't seem to know

what is going on.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Kerry is going win by backing in

Bush is a complete (insert Dick Cheney's favorite word here) up.

I'd rather he didn't, but Kerry can afford to make a mistake or two. Bush will still have chaos in Iraq and a jobless recovery to contend with. No one is paying attention to Kerry's mistakes. They're paying attention to Bush's (insert Dick Cheney's favorite word here) ups.

[DjTj]

7. trapped? - only if you believe the right-wing spin...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6678-2004Aug16.html

[SangamonTaylor]

8. cheer up. how many people have you convince to vote Kerry by being mean?

My personal experience has been that I have been able to convince many people to forget about the Smear boaters and consider Kerry by being rational, and getting his message across. More importantly, I've convinced a few people to register (in 3rd Ward) to vote...now we just need to get them to the polls...

I have NEVER convinced ANYONE to vote for Kerry by throwing mud about Bush...

[Media_Lies_Daily]

9. Just in case you haven't noticed, the polls have tilted toward Kerry....

...during the latest NeoCon smear campaign against him.

Looks like being "nice" is working for Kerry.

[mourningdove92]

10. Hmmm, now lets see,

So far Kerry has not run any negative ads, he has stayed focused on the issues, he is currently polling ahead of an incumbent President who at one time had an approval rating off the charts, many republican strongholds are now in play, he outfoxed bushco on the mathching federal funds thing, and he continues to stay focused, campaign to the people and lets Bushco beat their heads against the wall.

What was your problem with the way Kerry is handling things?

[Julien Sorel]

12. It's a DU myth that Kerry has not run any negative ads.

25% of his ad budget has gone to negative ads. When you count the 527 money, the Democrats have spent roughly as much money on attack ads as the Republicans have. It's just through whatever twisted lens people here use to view the world that Kerry and the Democrats take it bending over without complaint.

[Julien Sorel]

11. He's just a moron.

He isn't doing any attacking at all -- he's too weak and foolish to even consider it. Maybe he should hire you as his campaign strategist. You'd have him on track in no time!

[genius]

13. I feel like sending him a dunce cap. If he wins, it will be because

everyone hates Bush so much that Kerry has become irrelevant.

[bigtree]

15. everyone?

[emulatorloo]

23. The Misunderestimation of John Kerry - esquire magazine, July 04

The Misunderestimation of John Kerry
Beware of this man. He's won every race that he was supposed to lose.

by Charles P. Pierce | Jun 01 '04


http://www.democrats.us/beta/forum/view_topic.php?id=1462&forum_id=12&jump_to=6554

[iwantmycountryback]

14. *Note 5 elections Kerry has won*

Something tells me that this man has a clue about how he will win this. He's no spring chicken at the political game. He was in the Senate through the Reagan and BushI years, and then the ruthless attacking years of the Clinton administration. He knows what these people will do, he's a very smart man. Besides he seems to be up in the polls. I think people are growing tired of the negativity in politics. Kerry's doing quite alright.

[QC]

16. How many threads on this very same topic do we need?

That's something we would all do well to question.

[autorank]

17. Rope a dope

Remember Ali-Foreman. Kerry said he'd run a 'clean campaign' and he has. MoveOn and other surrogates are doing the dirty work. Brilliant! He's taking this crap and people are saying, how long, how long. He's just waiting for the right time to 'come off the ropes' and go for the knock out. Like the Jets fan said, he has a track record and it's as a closer. Relax and watch the show. This is one calculating, smart, nasty dude who is playing chess while Bush is playing checkers.

[autorank]

25. Was I right or was I right?!

[Dr Fate]

19. "I think that accusing Bush of being AWOL is wrong..."

"...did I mention that folks are saying Bush was AWOL?" (Wink wink)

Subtle, yes, but nice?

I love it when Kerry is "nice"...

[Old and In the Way]

20. Why is it that the better Kerry does, the more concerned some posters

here get?

Kerry is absolutely playing this campaign perfectly. People are gravitating to a man that has the intelligence and class to lead us out of the Republican wasteland.

[Leilani]

21. I think you misunderestimate the strategery!!!!

What winning campaigns have you worked on?

[Old and In the Way]

22. Sorry, he just questions everything....but doesn't answer anything.

:-)

[question everything]

24. Several, local

And observed others, including Clinton's in 1992, that did not let a single comment by Bush 1 stand without a reply. Or, rather, without leaving it in the dust and coming up with an attack. The winning candidates that I observed did not let others bait them.

And it is too bad that instead of talking about the campaign, the way others have done, and I appreciate them, you chose to attack me. Hey, I am not running for office but I have been part of a campaign (local) where questions that might be raised by the opponents were anticipated and discussed ahead of time.

During the primaries so many here attacked Kerry for his vote on the IWR that it was bound to come from Bush. Why not?

No doubt Bush will raise the same question during a live debate. Or the moderator will. How will Kerry respond, in a direct, not cerebral way that the audience will remember? A reply that will not be: "I actually did vote for it first before I voted against it"? Yes, we understand what he means because we make the effort to listen. Most voters, unfortunately, do not. That's why manuals that used to be written at 8th grade level have been reduced to 6th, perhaps even below - using comics instead of written instructions.

[bigtree]

26. good of you to criticize our nominee with republican talking points

that's a good strategy.:eyes:

I listen. I can think. Most Americans can also. I don't buy the attacks on Kerry's IWR vote from either side. Most Americans were ambivalent about the war as most supported the effort initally and most do not now. Why do we assume that most Americans are as dumbed down as bush would leave us?

Why are you satisfied to repeat their distorted take on Kerry's position on the war? Certainly you are aware that he has spoken extensively on this?

How will Kerry respond? Where do you get your info? Kerry has responded repeatedly, with clarity.