In the debates, what should Kerry try to do?

[SeekingTruth]

I think that the first debate will be the most singularly important thing of this entire race. And I think foremost Kerry should establish to the American people that he will truly protect Americans.

More people than at any other time will be watching Kerry and sizing him up against Bush. Good or bad, we all know what Bush has already done to "protect" America and I think at the time before the debates, not knowing what Kerry will do has been his Achilles heel.

If Kerry can persuade Americans that he will do a better job than Bush has done, then I think we will be in great shape. But the trouble with this is that so many of us want to see him destroy Bush. We want our payback in flesh. We must be patient.

[dennis4868]

1. he needs to hold Bush accountable....

every time he lies during the debate.

[Massacure]

2. Use common sense and simple facts.

Bash Bush, and hold him accountable.

[Poiuyt]

6. I agree with the simple facts & holding him accountable

Bashing Bush might look too much like shooting fish in a barrel. I don't think Kerry should come across like an intellectual as Americans can't seem to relate well with that. And it wouldn't hurt Kerry to smile once in a while.

[liberalpragmatist]

3. Turn the questions back onto George W. Bush

Attack Bush as out of touch and "reckless" and "stubborn." Stress "responsibility" and "truth."

Also, he MUST succinctly explain his vision of America. He has to succinctly explain his health plan and his economic plans. Stress bringing down the deficit. Talk about broadband.

Also, talk about his Senate record - he should talk about BCCI and Iran-Contra investigations, Vietnam investigations, his environmental record.

[drscm]

4. Effect a fake Texas accent and say "Aw Shucks," a lot.

And repeat the same memes over and over again, reqardless of the question.

[cheshire]

5. ask Bush about obscure constitutional laws and have fun. Like about

sovereignty.

[demwing]

7. He should lay out an Iraq policy in simple English

Then he should have some fun:

He should nail Bush on all of his flip flops while always talking about how likeable Bush is. Then he should give him looks as if he feels sorry for him for being such an underachiever. Say things like "We know you're tying, but..." or "It's OK George, we understand the difficulties you face..." The go on to annunciate some arcane point of policy, and say "Don't you agree George?" while Bush sits ther looking wounded.

He should make a seemingly pleasant comment or two about how Bush proves the American adage about any boy or girl growing up to be president. Looking at the camera, Kerry should say "Only in America could the average son of a family born to great priveledge overcome his roots and eventually be selected President." (Be sure to say SELected). "Despite the odds, George W. Bush managed to follow in his father's footsteps, and that's a great American story! Of course, come November, we mean to allow George to continue following his father right back into the private sector-but thats another great American story"

He should make some comment about all the brave National Guardsmen who volunteered to put their lives on the line for their country in Iraq, then say something about "I know you would have gone if you could George, and I know you're sorry you didn't get to test yourself in combat. You find out some things about yourself and your ability to make leadership decisions in the heat of battle, George. I don't know if you could ever understand that." Kerry should bite his lip real hard at this point so that a little tear appears in his eye...

Then he should invite all members of the press to a party with free beer and wine and catered buffet. Add that he would invite the Bush's, but they are supposed to be opponents, and if he acted too friendly some one might accuse him of flip-flopping.

[tedzbear]

8. Stick to the point and don't meander...

If he gets complex he will lose his audience. He needs to argue at *'s IQ level and kill him using easy to understand sentences.

[the_outsider]

9. focus on jobs, deficit , lies about WMD

[zapp]

10. Outline His Plans

The one thing the CONS have been successful at so far is to keep the Kerry camp scrambling to respond to the various attacks that seem to have begun with the Smear Boat Vets for Bush, and are now coming from the Bush camp.

Kerry and his folks need to outline SPECIFICS to convince voters to change horses. In this debate, I hope that he comes out as a common guy with lofty ideas and common sense. And, while he's doing this, outline the reason, not reasons, for the swing voters to vote for him.

Clinton had "It's the economy, stupid!"

Kerry needs a line like that to unveil at the debate that gets folks excited.


BB

[newyawker99]

15. Hi zapp!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[autorank]

11. He needs to rattle Bush's cage...real hard! Until Bush cracks.

There will be a moment in these debates when Bush goes nonlinear, when he chuckles at the mention of death, when he snorts like the moron he is. Kerry needs to come at him and hard to get him rattled. Bush is used to sycophants. He can't even handle a public forum debate. Kerry and his folks need to sit down and figure out which words, gestures, and issues will trouble Bush the most and pounce. I sad the Weld debates and Kerry is an excellent debater, poised, thinking all the time, picking his openings.

Lest anyone forget, the debates are what nailed Gore. Sure he won on logic, etc. but he came across as a strange dude (I love the guy). But that night, he was strange. Bush is mega, fucking strange and that needs to be seen on TV. There will be no anchors or spin doctors to mediate, it's just the camera and his strangeness.

The debates can cause a 7-8% swing in the 'usual suspects' polls which, added to the cell phone users who rarely get called and the new voters, will smash Bush.

[OneBlueSky]

12. he needs to connect with the American people . . .

Bush's strength is his good ole boy image . . . phony as it may be, it connects to joe and jane sixpack in ways that Kerry has been unable to do . . . I know he can't emulate Bush's down home folksiness, but he has to find a way to come across as less of a patrician and more of a regular guy who understands regular people . . .

[tedzbear]

13. This is the great irony!

Both * and Kerry are skull and bones elites who are NOT regular guys. Like you said, * has been able to play the part of joe sixpack (who just happens to be skull and bones elite). Kerry's only ace in the hole is that he is a Vietnam war hero which should by all rights make * look like the draft dodger he is, but so far this hasn't worked.

This is a shame because it was the only "non issues" character element that Kerry had to make him a viable candidate. The Iowa caucus picked him over Dean for this very reason. Somehow it doesn't seem to be getting Kerry the traction that they thought it would.

[Hardball]

14. Ask him to declare how many times he has been arrested.

n/t

[newyawker99]

16. Hi Hardball!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[displacedyankeedem]

17. Lay Out His Plan on Iraq clearly and concisely and the ask W.....

what's your's?

[NewJeffCT]

18. Kerry needs something HUGE, or else

Unless Kerry comes up with a "where's the beef?" moment, the media will bend over backwards to declare Bush the winner. Remember, in 2000, 2/3 of the people who watched only the debate thought Gore won. However, for people who watched the debate and the analysis by the "liberal" media afterwards, 60% thought Bush won.