RW Herald's)Experts say Dem should shore up his credibility!!!

[papau]

http://news.bostonherald.com/election/view.bg?articleid=46310

Experts say Dem should shore up his credibility
By Andrew Miga
Tuesday, September 28, 2004

WASHINGTON - Sen. John F. Kerry faces a daunting challenge in his first debate with President Bush , seeking to forge a breakthrough despite restrictive rules for Thursday's showdown that ban direct questioning between the two men.

``Kerry will have to work within the format,'' said Doug Hattaway, who was former Vice President Al Gore's spokesman in the 2000 race. ``It's a huge moment for him. I don't think that skewering Bush over specific policies will be his main goal.''

Kerry must walk a fine line when he squares off with Bush Thursday night in Florida, challenging Bush without alienating voters by appearing overly aggressive toward a sitting president, according to Democratic strategists.

``Kerry's gotta be suitably aggressive without turning people off,'' said veteran Boston political strategist Mike Shea, who headed Kerry's 1996 debate prep team against then-Gov. William F. Weld. <snip>

[LuminousX]

1. According to the RW - Kerry must be hard and soft, serious and funny

Kerry must do two mutually exclusive things or else he has lost.

Yeah, and Bush needs to yodel while eating cheese or else he has lost.

[RobertSeattle]

2. Yep - similar meme mentioned in this week's DU Top 10 Idiots

http://www.democraticunderground.com/top10/04/172.html#9

KERRY If he's serious - they'll say he's glum, gloomy, pessimistic, and uninspiring.
If he's jovial - they'll say he's phony and trying too hard.
BUSH If he's serious - he's presidential, the war-time commander in chief.
If he's jovial- everybody wants to have a beer with him.

KERRY If he's forceful - they'll say he's too aggressive, mean, negative, desperate.
If he's calm - they'll say he's weak, unsteady, dull, lacks energy.
BUSH If he's forceful - they'll say he's strong, resolute, unwavering.
If he's calm - they'll say he's prepared, on-message, disciplined, reserved.

KERRY If he's specific - they'll say he's wonkish, presenting "laundry lists," being overly-intellectual, show-offy, and nobody likes the smart kid.
If he's not specific - they'll say he's vague, criticizing but not offering solutions, not addressing the issues, and nobody knows who he is.
BUSH If he's specific - they'll say he "lays out his plan" and "makes his case."
If he's not specific - they'll say he's spanning the issues, giving a global presentation, painting a broad outline of his plans.

KERRY If he jokes - they'll say he lacks gravitas, trivializes important issues, doesn't understand troops are in harm's way, nation's at war, disrespects the president, etc.
If he doesn't joke - they'll say he needs to lighten up, he's too stoney, he's wooden.
BUSH If he jokes - they'll say he's a man of the people, a regular guy, people relate to him.
If he doesn't joke - they'll say he truly cares about the American people and his sincerity resonates with voters in this difficult time.