Do you feel like Amerca knows Kerry?

[coloradodem2005]

I do. I think many in America do. The media maintains that the people don't know John Kerry or what he stands for. I have been paying attention and I know what is going on. Maybe if they don't know Kerry, it is because they know he will be better than Bush and will vote for him anyways. What do you think?

[JohnnyCougar]

1. no....not at all

most people i talk to don't know a thing. except for "he has no message" or "he's a flip-flopper"

[mzmolly]

2. No, I said sometime ago that they should air ads of a "personal" nature

so that the public bonds with Kerry.

[Awsi Dooger]

10. I'm sure those will come

They were utilized very effectively in Iowa near the end. The only difference now is I would de-emphasize Vietnam somewhat, much more than the primary ads did. We can't pretend that is an overwhelming strength and will win over vets.

If we have learned anything from this year, it should be to fire ammo late, not early. Everything from Clarke's book to the prison pictures to Fahrenheit 9/11 was so early it faded without lasting impact, kind of like Howard Dean's entire campaign.

I'm assuming Kerry will win the debates and save his best TV spots for the final two weeks. That should make this the tossup election it always figured to be, versus an incumbent with only fear as an ally.

And no, the general apolotical public does not know Kerry, based on my car trip across the country this summer. I mentioned the conversations at convenience stores and golf courses in several DU posts. The average Joes and Janes mention flip flopping and Vietnam and uncertainty as a leader more than everything else combined. That will be fatal if it holds up following the three debates.

[wurzel]

3. They are being told they "don't know" Kerry. And told they "know" Bush!

Actually they don't know either really. I mostly go on my impressions based on "character" and "biography". I see Bush as essentially an "empty" man who has led an empty life. I see Kerry as an essentially "thoughtful" man who has had personal experiences that make him take life seriously.

[Nite Owl]

4. No, not really

how could they when all they get on tv is the GOP spin of who Kerry is? Part of it is the DNC who should have been out there defending him earlier on instead they let the flip flop thing air without any explanation, they let it become the talking point. It's harder to refute the lie now.

[WiseMen]

5. NO, NO, NO NO. That is what all surveys to-date show. TUNED OUT.

Kerry message has not gotten through.

All that most voters know about Kerry is from the
SVet smear and Bush Flip-Flop Ads.

[noahmijo]

6. America knows Kerry media doesn't know America only knows

how to run bullshit stories for profits and put smug looking men and women in tacky outfits while they report the bullshit.

[settembrini]

7. No, but

I think the campaign is smart enough to know this. From now on they should change the primary focus of their ads from attack to positive. The most important thing the people need to know about Kerry is his anti-terrorism work - BCCI, 19 years on senate foreign relations committee, his prescient book on global threats. Get the meme out that he is an expert on terrorism. All people are looking for is assurance that they can trust him, because they are ready to break from Bush.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi settembrini!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AndyTiedye]

8. No. The Media Presents a Picture of Kerry Made up of Repub Talking Points

The one network that broke ranks has been beaten down and will not
be causing the regime any more bother.

Kerry will never be able to really introduce himself to the people
before the election. The debates have been carefully structured to
prevent that, and he is all but blacked-out from the media otherwise,
while Boosh has unlimited access.

The Kerry vote is mostly the "anyone-but-Boosh" vote.

[bigwillq]

9. Sadly, No

Mainly b/c of what some of you have said about the media spinning it this way or that way. "Kerry's a flip flopper, blah blah"

But I also think Kerry still hasn't connected personally to some people.
I thought the convention was a breakout speech b/c it showed more of a personal Kerry but since the convention, Kerry nor his campaign team haven't really done too much to make Kerry connect more personally to the American public that doesn't "know" Kerry like we do.

[noamnety]

11. No

They do not know him. My sister, who used to volunteer for the Green Party and campaigned for Nader, and protests Cheney when he visits, did not know that Kerry helped organize Earth Day, she had never heard or read the Winter Soldier speech. She thought he "voted for the war." She did not know anything about Teresa, not that she was born in Africa, not that she marched against Apartheid.

People trying to figure out who Kerry is: http://www.yayhooray.com/thread/13215/What-s-good-about-Kerry

(see if you can spot the DU member in the thread)