Armchair strategists check in here: Post your strategy for winning.

[mzmolly]

Here's mine:


I am basing much of my strategy/information on this recent poll:

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm21317_20040828.htm Swing voters are unhappy with Bush for Iraq, and view him as strong on leadership after 911. They also don't feel Kerry is very likable.

1. Kerry needs to differentiate himself from Bush on Iraq in the debates as much as possible. He needs to be aggressive and call him on abusing the authority extended to him. He needs to stress that he VOTED FOR INSPECTIONS as per his speech on the senate floor 10/2/2002. People have to come away from that debate feeling Kerry's anger about Bush's handling of the Iraq issue. Kerry has a golden opportunity. "Mr. President, I believed you when you said ... The American people believed you ... we won't make that mistake again ... "

2. Kerry and our surrogates, 527's etc. Need to attack Bush HARD on his perceived strength ... his handling of 911. For some reason, people feel he demonstrated *leadership* after 911? :eyes: Say it with me folks "Bush pulled a bait and switch on the American people - Saddam for Osama." The Kerry camp needs to start exposing this AS A WEAKNESS!

3. Kerry needs to show his likable side. That's right. People for some reason want to *like* who they vote for. :eyes: We need a Kerry bio/ad with thoughts from not only his fellow vets, but the friends/family who know him. I think Chris Heinz would be an excellent person to take part in this. What greater testament then the love of a step child? Chris you listenin' ;) This could happen in a couple of ways. a) A an ad put out by the camapign. b) A comprehensive interview with Kerry/his friends/family on 60 MNS or ?

I also want to say that if the polls don't show Bush leading by 55% - 45% or more, as of next Weds (R convention bounce) the Kerry camp says it's in good shape. Let's brace for a bump and not blame Kerry for what is likely to happen regardless.

That's my armchair strategy for today ... what's yours?

[Kahuna]

1. Your #1 is the ticket!!!! I believe that Kerry's response to

*'s calling him out on Iraq has more to do with his erosion that anything that the SBVs are doing. Kerry needs to stop being coy and say exactly how he would have handled the IWR vote if he had been in charge.

The reason I believe this is because Kerry's erosion seems to be among his own base.

[mzmolly]

8. I agree. He has to "go for it" ... differentiate himself where he can.

He's got a speech on record in the Senate to back this up too.

:hi:

[childslibrarian]

2. The Democrats need to get together on talking points...

and repeat, repeat, repeat them. This is how we teach children, this is how voters can be taught. Repetition of key points is the key and it is something the repubs do very well.

[mzmolly]

6. Agreed. Dean was great at this. He's still doing it when he can.

:hi:

[Armstead]

3. Stop pulling punches

The adminiustration's biggest charge against Kerry is that he's a weak "flip flopper." Everything in the GOP campaign is designed to reinforce that image.

Kerry, unfortunately, has played into their hands too often. He needs to take clear stands on big issues, backed up by specific proposals, and not try to court Republicans.

Kerry'd make a great president. Kerry's smarter, he knows what the hell he would do as president. He knows what he believes in. HGe would not be a "wimp" on national security, and he'd be a lot smarter than Bush.

But so far he's been a lousy campaigner against Bush. He's got to stop calibrating and go with his guts.

This IS a campaign about the future of the country. Bush is giving a clear direction for the choice he offers, and they're skilled at selkling it. That's partly because Bush really is an extremist right winger, and believes in the poop he spouts.

By contrast, Kerry seems to political and mushy. He needs to offer a real different vision. Not just a GOP lite DLC message and vision.

He also has to start defending his own record. Stop letting the Republicans get away with this "Kerry's running from his record" crap. Kerry's got nothing to be ashamed of in his SDenate resord, and he's got things to be proud of.

[mzmolly]

9. Yes yes and yes!

He should also call Bush on the "flip-flop" thing, for saying we'd catch Osama, and going after Saddam instead?! :hi:

Kerry needs to break it down in bite sized pieces. We spent X on pursuing Saddam Hussein, and the real threat is still out their, stronger today then they were 4 years ago. Any facts he could put out their would be helpful.

:yourock:

[JLFinch]

4. AWOL BUSH

Drive it home.

[expatriot]

5. we need to do two things at once...

Kerry needs to show america that he is one of them... he will never beat Bush on this "he's one of us" myth in middle america but he needs to at least close the gap....

meanwhile, we need to POUND the issues... the difference between Republicans and Democrats are... over and over again. and at the same time call the republicans on their not discussing issues.

and THIRD we need to really, really be lightning quick in discrediting their character attacks and their 'flipflopper" line... every self respecting DEM needs to carry a "debunk the flip flop myth" pocket guide with them at all time. There is not one yet, but there should be... a DU project?

[mzmolly]

10. I like that project idea on the flip flop thing.

:hi:

[GOPFighter]

7. Everyone identify 10 voters...

...who don't like Bush but who are blase about voting and get them to the polls.

Recent polls show Kerry has more support among registered voters than "those who identify themselves as likely to vote"

We've got to identify those who don't like Bush but for whatever reason, don't plan on voting, and get them to the polls.

[nannah]

11. health care and living wage work

he needs to show how he will meet the needs that people feel most strongly: living wage work and healthcare. That is the nuts and bolts of people's lives.



On that note: a bumper sticker:

If you're not driving a rolls royce,
why the hell are you voting for Bush!!!

[Eric J in MN]

12. He has to mention three of his Senate accomplishmenets

Voting for workers, voting for the environment, investigating Iran-Contra so people stop saying he didn't do anything there.

[In Truth We Trust]

Just tell the truth!!

[adolf batwing]

13. well, since you asked

i don't know the numbers exactly but for arguments sake simply state the numbers like- under bush we(we is important) have x million less jobs, x billion in debts, x million more in poverty, x million more without health insurance, x million more personal bankruptcies, x thousands swindled out of their retirements, x thousand more dead american soldiers , x thousand dead american civilians AND HE WANTS FOUR MORE YEARS? VOTERS OF AMERICA, WHAT IS THERE TO THINK ABOUT?

[unfrigginreal]

14. My .02 cents

1. Surrogates need to attack Bush's credibility hard. He's still widely perceived as a good guy and that won't change unless people start to believe he's intentionally bullshitting them. We need to see ads from the 527's showing his "humble foreign policy" remarks from 2000, his "I'll get on the phone and tell them to open the spigots" remarks, and other failed promises. They should also show the feel good titles given to Bush Policy initiatives versus the actual intent of the policies. Then they should play his returning integrity to the White House remark with a bunch of question-marks.

2. Kerry needs to stay on the positive issues stressing Health Care, Middle Class Tax Cuts, returning jobs, etc. but do it by contrasting Bush's proposals in a very negative light. That is not going negative. He also needs to get some images in his ads of him hunting, especially in the Southern States.

[mzmolly]

15. Good stuff.

:hi:

[GOPAgainstGW]

16. EXPOSE THE MASSIVE BUSH-CHENEY-ROVE-SBVT FRAUD IN OCTOBER!!

that is all it will take to totally blow Bush-Cheney out of the water!

[ljm2002]

17. I came up with a slogan this morning...

...which is:

George Bush talks a good game. But does he really know the score?

Please see my post at

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x687450

for details.

I think it's a winning slogan, and can be used in almost every situation where we want to differentiate Bush and Kerry

[WiseMen]

18. MZMOLLY, I like your points. But ignores FACT that SMEAR hurting Kerry.

SMEAR reinforced Roves $100 mill message: Kerry is UNPRINCIPLED!

Dems have to stop pretending and do whatever it takes to
destroy this image that is now in the minds of many of the
swingers.

[adolf batwing]

21. BUSH IS A USED CAR SALESMAN

kerry needs to get mean and emote more or the cynical, guileful bush will win. politics is not won by professors but by salesman. kerry's "negatives" are nothing compared to how bush has bungled. bush has done so bad voters can't see the forest because of the trees. kerry needs to hammer away at what the W revolution has done for the average american.

[mzmolly]

27. Very interesting thought!

politics is not won by professors but by salesman.

I hadn't thought of it this way, but I think your on to something here. :hi:

WELCOME TO DU! :toast:

[mzmolly]

22. Oh yes! We can't forget that these ads are key, but I think the camp is

addressing them. They could do a better job. However, I think the best defense is a good offense.

I'd like to put out an ad so full of controversy over Bush that the SWB ads are not even discussed anymore.

[Lefty48197]

19. Kerry should just start making plans to take over as President

he shouldn't be disrespectful or pushy or anything, but he should just make it clear that he's prepared to take over, and that he is ready to take all the necessary steps to install his administration.
Appearing "Presidential" and magnanimous are the most important things from here on in. Bush has neither quality and that's why the world hates him.

[kentuck]

20. First of all, know your enemy...

And what their strategy is....

And most of America already knows their tactics. Smear and fear. They are going to put on a happy face. And lead us into the future. All talk and no cattle.

First of all, Kerry and Democrats need to educate the people daily on the Republican tactic of smearing whichever opponent they are running against. That's the way they do politics. Destroy the character of your opponent. Call him a flip-flopper, a liar, an exaggerator..Whatever it takes to get voters to question his personal integrity. Never get into a discussion,especially in the campaign season, about policies and what affects the lives of most Americans.

Secondly, challenge their every premise. They say, no one can say the world is not better off without Saddam Hussein in power. Challenge it. Yes, some people can say that. Saddam was not a threat to our country. We have created enemies around hte world with Bush's preemptive invasion. We have lost almost 1000 troops in this debacle. Any American would be a fool not to challenge their premise.

Thirdly, talk about the issues. Unemployment, healthcare, the deficit, foreign policy, the future of our nation, education, etc.
Especially put more emphasis on the debt that George Bush has saddled us with. And he wants another taxcut for his wealthy friends. What do we do if the deficit increases ever further? There is no free lunch but these fake conservatives do no seem to understand that. YTheir policies are not mainstream America, contrary to what they say, they are radical. These people are the most radical bunch we have seen in our lifetimes and they are a threat to our way of life and democracy itself.

[American liberal]

23. great thread, mzmolly...

I like your ideas. Where we differ is on Kerry's "likeability." I knew nothing about Kerry prior to the DNC. Dean was my horse, although Kuccinich (sp) was most closely aligned to my politics--I just didn't think he was electable, and my first and foremost agenda as a member of the ABBA party is to unseat bush.

Since the primaries, I've gotten to know Kerry's background and platform a little better. I liked the bio they did of him at the DNC. I liked his speech. I like the way he's been handling the swift boat liars--I mean, regardless of what the corporate media say, his camp has effectively refuted that crap and turned the tables on the bush camp. Give them some credit! McCain couldn't do it in 2000. Dukakis couldn't do it in '88 against Bush sr.!

And now, based on reports I am hearing here and in the alternative press and on NPR, Kerry is meeting voters face to face on their turf in pivotal states. He is choosing cozy little venues to give people a chance to get to know him and to feel like they are being listened to. And, as a former marketing major, I know that word-of-mouth advertising can be extremely effective. From what I hear, he is meeting with the "undecideds" and leaving them with the impression that he knows what he's doing and is a kind and compassionate man. To my way of thinking, he's doing a GREAT job improving his likeability. Today, I am confident that we have exactly the right person going up against Bush.

The only thing I would add to the campaign strategy, and I am willing to bet it will become the focal point in coming weeks, is emphasis on the economy. And there is PLENTY of fodder out there for the Kerry campaign to run with: poverty rates are going up, unemployment is not improving, the new overtime law is screwing MILLIONS of middle-class workers, companies are still laying off workers, interest rates are going up, record high defecits--not to mention the "have mores" (allusion to Bush's nasty but true comment in F9/11) scratching each other's and their chosen politicians' backs--Haliburton, Enron, Diebold--the corruption is running rampant!

We've got a smart, savvy strategist in Mary Beth Cahill. I suspect she has surrounded herself with even smarter, hungrier people. As a former Dean supporter, I back Kerry 110% and am confident he has what it takes to get the job done, corporate media be damned. I predict a record-breaking voter turnout Nov. 2 and a landslide victory. Those f***in' freepers have moved to Egypt and are hanging out on Da-Nile (can you tell I'm from Chicago? :) ) I have more faith and confidence in the American people than their own friggin' representatives do. What? Do they think we're stupid? :P

Peace,
AL

[mzmolly]

24. I think Kerry is very likable, and Dean was my horse too. I like your

post much, and find your analysis very interesting. The economy is VERY important ... your absolutely right. But, it doesn't seem to be *key* with the swing voters? I don't understand it but ...

You've inspired a new and exciting idear. Show the meetings Kerry is having in the cozy venues you describe, and then show the positive feedback from the people in attendence!

Kerry is meeting voters face to face on their turf in pivotal states. He is choosing cozy little venues to give people a chance to get to know him and to feel like they are being listened to. And, as a former marketing major, I know that word-of-mouth advertising can be extremely effective. From what I hear, he is meeting with the "undecideds" and leaving them with the impression that he knows what he's doing and is a kind and compassionate man. To my way of thinking, he's doing a GREAT job improving his likeability. Today, I am confident that we have exactly the right person going up against Bush.

I don't believe in second guessing Kerry either. The R's would have fodder against ANYONE RUNNING and they're masters at slimey PR. Dean would have been hurt by a sleazy ad about X as well. We'd be second guessing him were he the nominee. "Dean doesn't know when to shut up" or "Dean is a loose cannon" or "Dean is X ..." People will bitch no matter.

:toast: to your excellent post. It's encouraging to hear about the meetings Kerry is having.

[fujiyama]

25. You're right

It's important for him to make it absolutely clear why he voted for the resolution and what he plans on doing. He has to completely distinguish his position from Bush's. Iraq is one of the two main issues (that and the econommy) that should doom his presidency.

I think he should also bring up the fact that the war in Iraq was a distraction from the war on terror -- not part of it. This is something many don't seem to understand.

[mzmolly]

26. I think you nailed it here:

the war in Iraq was a distraction from the war on terror

This is KEY. :hi:

[blue neen]

28. Kerry needs to show HOW he is different from Bush.

Any undecideds I have talked to don't see what the major differences between the two men are (actually Kerry is a man, Bush is a mouse!).

Kerry needs to show his empathy for the middle class and show that he understands their ISSUES; he needs to SET the tone now.

I like your idea about Chris Heinz--that's a winner right there.

[Arkana]

29. I speculate on this a lot

And here's mine:

1. Go on the attack. The Smear Boat Liars For Rove have hurt, there's no doubt of that, but they fell well short of their goal of putting Kerry out of action. The backlash is coming now, and Kerry needs to be right behind, pushing it along, making sure that Bush feels the hurt as well.

2. Get on the issues, and pound Bush's positions. Kerry has done this well, but he seems to be letting up as of late, and he can't. Not in time for the RNC. He needs to make sure his message is heard--not just by the base, but by every potential voter.

3. SMOTHER BUSH IN THE DEBATES! This is a big one! Kerry MUST destroy Bush in the debates. The bar is so low for Dumbya that if he doesn't shit himself or yell for his Mommy, he's declared the winner. Kerry must destroy every point that is made, hit every question out of the park, and he MUST MAKE DUMBYA LOOK LIKE THE FOOL HE IS.

4. Destroy the "strong leader" myth surrounding Bush. There are undecideds who will lean Bush because of the "strong leader" paint that he has coated himself with. Kerry must prove that he will execute the war on terror with a cool head and rational strategies, rather than macho posturing and ham-fisted responses.

5. Play up the major wedge issue--the stem-cell research controversy. Remember, the Republican deity Ronald Reagan died of Alzheimer's disease--a disease that could be cured through stem-cell research. His son has already come out in support of a bill that would spoon more funding to this. Remember--REPUBLICANS WILL NOT TOUCH RON REAGAN. His support is invaluable to our cause.

That's about it, plus the fact that Dumbya is now limited to $75,000,000 in campaign funds after the RNC. This means that time is up for the huge smear campaigns--the cost would be too much. Kerry's been holding back, and Bush has put him on the ropes. Now we need that right hook to the face that will knock out a couple of teeth.

[mzmolly]

33. Awesome! Some of us missed our calling damnit!

:toast:

[tedoll78]

30. Here's mine.

Funny commercials
I've been screeching about this for about forever: people appreciate funny commercials. When you can get folks to laugh with you, you've succeeded in getting them comfortable with you. And when people are comfortable with you, they're more likely to vote for you. As an added bonus, a really funny series of commercials will get all sorts of free play on the major networks.

-----

Get out the vote
First, identify which voting districts in 1992, 1996, and 2000 went for Clinton and Gore with more than 55% of the vote. Once this is determined, have volunteers go from door-to-door with a few items:
1) Voter registration forms
2) Absentee ballots
3) Voter info refrigeration magnets
4) Comparison-on-the-issues flyers

The magnets are one of my favorites. They're less likely than flyers to get thrown-away. People will tend to just stick them on the fridge and then they'll use them if necessary. On the magnets should be a 1-800 number; the number, when called, should offer several options:
1) Find a polling place (or just where one can call to find a polling place)
2) Report voter irregularities
3) Request a ride to the polls

The first door-to-door campaign through key Dem areas in swing states should be ASAP. Get that infomation to our base as soon as possible! Next, have a door-to-door walkthrough with flyers on the week before the election. A great thing about targeting core Democratic areas is that you can tailor the flyers' message to our base, especially in the last week when the media will have less time to spin anything controversial out of them. The flyer should mention Supreme Court nominees especially; this is a great catch-all issue for motivating our base to turn out.

Another great thing about this: the GOP pretty much already gets its people to the polls. They're at or near their turnout ceiling, while we have real potential to grow. The end goal of this door-to-door targeted precinct campaign? If turnout in our strongholds is a mere 3 or 4% higher than it is in the GOP areas, our chances of winning a state jump.

-----

Send Kerry EVERYWHERE
Oprah. Dr Phil. Prairie Home Companion. A cameo on the Simpsons. Conan. Dave's Top 10 List. An SNL walk-on. MadTV. The Soup.

Kerry gets more positive, light-hearted coverage when he does these types of things. Look at the Daily Show - it went lovely last week, and voters got to see Kerry in a more favorable, human light. Admittedly, voters will probably never vote him 'Most Buddy-Buddy,' but it does keep him above that minimum threshold of necessity in the category.

-----

Debates: Come-On Strong
There's a West Wing episode where they decide to let President Barlett be aggressive during the debates because no matter what, the voters will see him as arrogant and intellectual. I agree. Kerry should go for Bush's jugular with facts and figures. Tell true, accurate stories of woe across the country. Nail Bush on his inconsistencies. Channel the spirit of Jon Stewart and be a "smartass" against Bush - but be deadly accurate. Point-out Bush's own flip-flops. Joke (and thus defuse) his own weaknesses. Embarrass Bush by revealing proposals that his administration made and then decided against. Like I said.. go for the jugular.

-----

Infomercials
People often mock these, but they work. I cite Ross Perot's use of the infomercial in 1992 as my key evidence. Had he not jumped in and out of the race repeatedly, he would've done much better than 19%. Hell, he was leading both Bush and Clinton at some points because of his "cheesy" infomercials.

That having been said, we have the ability to tailor the message coming from our infomercials. From focus groups and polling in key states, we can know weaknesses and strengths, and we can script the message accordingly. If something is killing us in Ohio, we can address it during the infomercial. If something is unjustly bolstering Bush in Florida, we can shed the light of truth on the matter.

I'd have one infomercial right after the GOP convention. It'd be in primetime, half an hour, and it would target swing voters. The purpose of this infomercial would be primarily to dampen any bounce that the Chimp might get from his convention. It'd be a preventative measure, to ensure that the media cannot latch-onto a meme where "Bush is now ahead and running away with it."

The second infomercial could be most critical. Election Day is November 2nd this year - the Tuesday after Halloween. I'd propose that we have an infomercial on Halloween night. It would be slated for about 9PM in the key Central Time Zone, where many critical swing states are located. Since Halloween is before a work day this year, people will be more likely to be in earlier. Most kids are done with trick-or-treating by this time, and their parents will be settling-in to relax.

The second infomercial's timing will be key. At the end of the infomercial, Bush and the media will have about 26 hours to twist, contort, and respond to the infomercial - not much time at all. Kerry - just like Perot saw in 1992 - would most likely see a mini poll bounce resulting from a well-scripted infomercial. Hell, it may very well be the trick that puts us past that magical 270 electoral vote line.

-----

Get a bit nasty
The GOP likes to bus people to the polls. So I ask.. why didn't the DNC try to rent as many buses for Election Day as possible? Even if we weren't to use them, we'd be denying the GOP the use of this transportation.

People living in Indiana and Kentucky on the border of Ohio: do you have friends living in Ohio? Is there any chance that they'll lend you their addresses for a while so that you can register as a voter in Ohio, cast an absentee ballot, and then later move back home? It'd be perfectly legal. A bit underhanded, but legal.
(I ask the same questions of those living in Alabama and Georgia near Florida.)

Swing states with Democratic governors: have the governor motorcade through heavy-GOP areas throughout Election Day. This will tie-up traffic and put a 'ding' in turnout in those areas. Sure, a 'ding' is small, but 2000 proves that it may make all the difference.

-----

Those are the ideas that immediately come to mind.

[mzmolly]

31. Kickass ideas Tedoll.

:yourock:

[Skip Intro]

32. Ads can be powerful. Use bush himself in a series of ads

Show him repeating the trifecta line.

Show him giving an economic address on jobs in a warehouse where the "Made in the USA" fake bakdrop covered the actual stacks of "made in China" crates and boxes.

Show him using the "mushroom cloud" reference when speaking about Iraq (pre-invasion, natch).

Even the "turned the corner" ads/speeches.

There are SO many more.

Show every damn lie he has uttered, every damn show of ignorance, every damming clip there is of him - and then follow with something like, "Its time for America to demand better. Vote Kerry/Edwards, and restore America's PRIDE."

I mean saturation ads. Over and over again. One after another. Bush in his own twisted words, and then Kerry as the alternative.

[mzmolly]

34. Excellent ideas!

:hi: