Reply #6: The military experience matters.

[poskonig]

Those who do barely know Kerry know him as "that Vietnam guy." In my debates with conservatives, this alone (the soldier versus deserter thing) destroys them on national security.

On issues, Kerry's main points are health care access, tax fairness, a clean environment, and national security. Kerry is also more liberal than other Democrats on issues like gun control, taking PAC money, and the death penalty. I'd emphasize national security when talking with moderate voters, and the liberal issues when talking with the Democratic rank and file.