this is not a Kerry bash but

[sui generis]

really, it's not. I do wish we could get away from talking about "fit for duty" and "reporting for duty" - I don't like the way it sounds. We all have "duty". I don't want to vote for someone who who's primary attribute is that he's "dutiful".

I want to vote for a leader and president who will preside over the congress, over the mechanics of government, domestic and foreign policy, and the regulation of our economy. Kerry will do all these things and they are a strong suit, yet why doesn't our campaign couch the rhetoric of leadership in terms that don't smack of military leadership or something as onerous as "duty"?

I think we're trying to win a "battle" but we could lose the war. It seems our mistakes have been to imply that we can do what Bush does, except better. We have to stop that. We really do have to provide the leadership of hope and clarity in our campaign, with a plan to get there. I know we can do it, but the Kerry campaign has to expand their focus and expand their appeal a bit.

[MsUnderstood]

1. I could understand that

If the republicans would get away from it.

Kerry is defending himself when using fit for duty. for example:

"The vice president even called me unfit for office last night. I guess I'll leave it up to the voters whether five deferments makes someone more qualified to defend this nation than two tours of duty.

Let me tell you what I think makes someone unfit for duty. Misleading our nation into war in Iraq makes you unfit to lead this nation. Doing nothing while this nation loses millions of jobs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting 45 million Americans go without health care makes you unfit to lead this nation. Letting the Saudi royal family control our energy costs makes you unfit to lead this nation. Handing out billions of government contracts to Halliburton while you're still on their payroll makes you unfit. That's the record of George Bush and Dick Cheney. And it's not going to change. I believe it's time to move America in a new direction; I believe it's time to set a new course for America."

If they are gonna call him out, he has to defend himself, right?

[gollygee]

2. He has to defend himself or he'll look like a wimp (m)

He can't afford to look like a wimp.

In other words, I totally agree!

[GingerSnaps]

3. You wouldn't want Kerry looking like Bush the wimp would you?

:shrug:

[sui generis]

4. it's not a wimp thing

it's letting the Republicans set the agenda and tone. I'm not saying we shouldn't, but it shouldn't be central. We need to attack back on entirely different topics and make them get on the defense, define them for a change instead of letting them define us.

[arbusto_baboso]

5. But duty becomes important when the incumbernt is a shirker...

Sure, "doing your duty" seems like a small thing, and little to brag about. I agree. All reponsible people do their duty.

Unfortunately, the current adminsitration is filled with IRRESPONSIBLE people, with Shrub heading that particular list.

It's just another way for Kerry to differentiate himself from our idiot-in-Chief.

[sangh0]

6. I understand that but

I doubt the campaign is going to ignore what the majority of undecideds are looking for in order to shore up it's so-called "liberal base"

However, having said that, I do agree with your suggestion that Kerry expand his appeal, and I think you're about to see that. The Kerry campaign has been talking about how it's going to start focusing on domestic issues.