Kerry has not "won" the fight in his own mind.

[gulliver]

Kerry doesn't act like the victor. Remember the old saw about the fight being won before the first blow? Kerry has not "won" the fight.

Everything Kerry says and does should convey the confidence of a man who knows he is superior to his opponent. When Kerry speaks of Bush, it should be as one speaks of an inferior, a vanquished predecessor. Kerry must place himself above Bush in rank and must act accordingly.

Bush does it well. When Bush speaks of Kerry, Bush reflects an inner scorn. There is no fear there, no sense of carefulness. Bush is at peace because he knows this game. He knows he will win it with lies and lip service. Bush accepts that he will do whatever it takes to win. "Conscience doth make cowards of us all" said Shakespeare. Conscience is not a problem for Bush.

An example of what I am talking about is Kerry's much vaunted Springfield speech after Bush's acceptance speech. Edwards fired up the crowd with a strong introduction for Kerry. Kerry began powerfully and hit the right notes, attacking Bush and laughing at him.

Then, to my lights, Kerry fell out of the "zone of authority" somewhere in the middle of his rhetorical list of reasons Bush is unfit to lead.

Kerry said, "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..."

He lost the juice just after the second or third sentence. There was a pause as Kerry held his hand in the air and evidently could not remember what to say. For about 30 milliseconds, Kerry signaled self-doubt. The magic disappeared in that instant, and everything came back to earth.

Kerry is bearing an unbearable burden. He needs to let it go and win.

[JI7]

1. it's good Kerry doesn't get overconfident

[gulliver]

5. There is a balance to be made.

Kerry must convey confidence and sell himself on the reasons for confidence. I'm not sure he has bought his own product yet. Nevertheless, if Kerry has to err, it is better to err on the side of overconfidence.

Look at Bush. No record to run on. A shameful personal history. Bush and his team sell Bush on pure salesmanship. He is the Pet Rock president, sold to a bunch of people who lose money on the deal but don't mind.

[BootinUp]

2. Agree to some degree

There can always be more confidence projected and Kerry should strive for that. I disagree on Bush, he only hides his fear with brave words.

[gulliver]

8. Bush is a microsecond away from fear at all times.

But he is extremely confident too, not based on anything but free-floating "I'm just sure of myself because I am sure of myself" confidence.

And when Bush stumbles, shows fear, shows humiliation, etc., he just launches more brave words. He is relentless. No matter how many times you prove him wrong, unfit for office, a coward, etc., he and his people just keep coming back. It's Karen Hughes-style kung fu. Bald faced lying and refusing to accept anything but a win, rules and conscience be damned.

Kerry doesn't need to do that, but he does need the strength that comes from accepting the mantle of the presidency as his own -- up front.

[seabeyond]

3. Conscience doth make cowards of us all"

bush's lack of conscience is what allows him to through soldiers in harm way without thought or retribution, is what allows him to empty treasure and give to rich friends, is what allows him to see the poor and struggling as creators of their own woes so tough

is that what we are really looking for again, do we really want kerry to chuck conscience. i thought we were exactly voting for kerry cause we need a person of conscience when making life and death decisions

you dont get to just turn conscience on and off when appropriate, you hvae either got it or not

[gulliver]

6. You are right, of course, and I am not arguing against conscience.

Kerry just needs to resolve his conscience and accept his answers as gospel in his own mind. He should accept that he is going to make mistakes and charge ahead.

I picture him in his youth charging in to save a man's life while bullets are flying around. This time, he is carrying an immense burden with him, but he needs to have that same thoughtless courage.

We know he has it. We know Bush is a coward. Kerry needs to accept that as fact and reflect it, gain confidence from it, channel it...

Just an opinion of course.

[DemNoir]

4. Great parody!

This is the funniest post Ive seen in weeks! Stop I cant take anymore!

[gulliver]

7. Parody? What are you talking about?

Which lines are the funniest? Hey, but if you get a laugh out of this post, fine. I didn't intend that obviously, but a laugh never hurt anyone.