Why not ask..."Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

[Rowdyboy]

over and over and over....It's a very simple question, that most people can answer without thinking much. The answer, for most people, is no. In the past, this has been a very important factor in a presidential election.

The answer is clear, we just need to ask the question.

[cthrumatrix]

1. of course the answer woul be hell no

[David Zephyr]

2. It's the One Question Even the Swiftboat Liars Could Answer Correctly.

I hope Kerry stays on this message.

Everyone in this country knows better.

Howdy, Rowdy.

[Rowdyboy]

6. I'm still waiting for him to say it and I really wish he would...

Its among the best possible line of attack he has.

Good to hear from you David...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. Yes, it's the last couple of months to go. THIS QUESTION needs

be asked. Kerry needs to uncork it in debate, in commercials, on the stump.

[Rowdyboy]

11. You know he will...

It fits sooooo well

[vivalarev]

4. Depends....

I would phrase it differently. Personally, I am better off today than I was 4 years ago...so I would ask it more specifically regarding issues.

Do you feel safer than you did 4 years ago?
Is your heatlth care better off than it was 4 years ago?
Is your job better than it was 4 years ago?

etc, etc, etc.

I hate bushCo, and they are in no way responsible for my fortunes over the past 4 years, so I wouldnt ask that question so generally. Personally, I thank Clinton for my good fortune as of late.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Perhaps something like, "Do you feel America is going in the right

direction?" I understand what you're saying.

But I would warrant that the old Reagan "Are you better off now etc." is also an effective and winning question for this race.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. TERRA!

All Bush has to say is that John Kerry can't protect you and the mainstream media will spin it that way to thousands of undecided voters.

[spanone]

8. What! And face reality? Real Issues? Radical Thinking.

[grasswire]

9. I'm reeling...

...at news from a faraway relative today who has declared bankruptcy. It's stunning news.

[Awsi Dooger]

10. No, he should ask, "Which party will make you better off 4 years from now?

Focus forward, not back. It's far too easy, and has plenty of merit, for Bush and Co. to argue that too much has changed since 2000 for that old Reagan simplicity to be as effective today.

He should focus on the Bush priorities in contrast to his own or the majority of Americans, borrowing plenty of samples and contrast from the Clinton years, and frame the debate with big picture ideas in regard to the status of this nation, and how it is viewed, in fall 2008. Kerry could assert that his campaign commercials and themes while running for re-election would laser focus on achievements and growth, not desperate fear and negativity a la GW.

[Rowdyboy]

12. C'mon....are you better off today than you were in December 2000?

I'm not...Most people aren't...Lets bitch about it!