How did Kerry get this far w/o outlining tax policy, iraq exit or nat sec

[digno dave]

I will vote for the guy, but it baffles me how he has just now come out with a tax policy(and a fuzzy one at that).
He is also not helping himself any by not clearly and repeatedly expressing his view on how he would deal with Iraq or national security.
Granted, he may have a plan for the prior two issues but i don't know what they are. And if i don't know then i am willing to bet most americans don't know because i pay attention to this stuff.
During the primaries i supported another candidate and i could tell anyone who asked what their plans were regarding these issues. I knew this from reading and from HEARING the man say it.
Kerry has done a poor job of (repeatedly) verbalizing his plans for Iraq and national security.
All i hear is bitch bitch bitch. I know, there is plenty to bitch about, but that will only get him so far.

[stepnw1f]

1. Go to his site

[digno dave]

3. that's my point

that's my point. Voters shouldn't have to "got to his site" to find out his positions on such up front issues as these.

[orwell]

5. In Depth

The media doesn't replay each of his stump speeches as nauseum like they do Boy George's weakly formulated talking points. He does address these issues. Stump speeches are not in depth policy positions. They are sound bites designed to attack the oppostion and jack up enthusiasm.

For more in depth information those you must go to his website.

O

[stepnw1f]

6. It's up to you

to make the right decision. I've listened to him for sometime and he happens to be my senator, and yes he has talked about these issues. You must have missed it on CSPAN...He may not be talking about these issues when you happen to watch or listen him. RESEARCH!

[blm]

9. HAHAH. Try listening. I've heard him speak dozens of times

on these very issues.

His mailings and his site have been very detailed, too.

Only someone who doesn't WANT to know will complain.

Kerry will be getting more focus on the issues from the media once the primary is mathematically over. Maybe if you hear it discussed on the news networks more often it will become more real for you.

[digno dave]

15. chill pill

Calm down. No one stole your ice cream cone.
I have yet to receive a mailing and i don't visit his site. The same can be said for the majority of the people who will be voting in November.

I am speaking more for joe blow american than anything else. If that person is not hearing the message then it might as well not exist. If it is the news media's fault then boo-hoo.

[blm]

28. The focus from the media will be greater in the next few weeks.

It takes awhile for the media to shift gears from the primary horserace to note the differences between the Dem and GOP nominees.

Natural cycle. Kerry knows how to fight Repubs better than most anyone. Chill, indeed.

[greatauntoftriplets]

12. Many people have no internet access.

n/t

[KittyWampus]

19. Everyone Has Access To A County Library With Computers

or maybe JUST about everyone.

[greatauntoftriplets]

29. Or they don't know how to use a computer.

Or have time to go to the library, depending on the hours they work and other responsibilities. Libraries' opening times in the City of Chicago are not much geared to working people, and many have little time on Saturdays between the chores or ordinary life and keeping one's family fed, housed and clothed.

[bigtree]

34. You can solicit the campaign by mail

and help spread the information they provide in your telephone and mail responses to media and other sources. You can use the information in your contact with community outreach organizations and in your community debates.

Contact Your Local Kerry Office:

California Office - LA
6100 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-935-7034
323-935-2979 (finance)
323-935-3579 (fax)

California Office - SF
166 South Park #3
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-896-6840

Connecticut Office
99 Pratt Street, Suite 420
Hartford, CT 06143
860-524-0260

Florida Office
201 S. Biscayne Blvd
Suite 2700, Miami Center
Miami, FL 33131
305-372-9945
305-371-5732 (fax)

Georgia Office
1100 Spring St.
Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-745-9189
[email protected]

Idaho Office
877 Main Street
Suite 610
Boise, Idaho 83702

Illinois Office
432 N Clark St
Suite 203
Chicago, IL 60610
312-832-0220
312-832-0744 (fax)

Massachusetts Office
60 Canal Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-367-1551
617-523-2033 (fax)
Maryland Office
191 Main Street
3rd Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
[phone]

Minnesota Office
8100 Wayzata Boulevard
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
763-540-0259
763-545-0018 (fax)

New Jersey Office
50 Northfield Ave.
West Orange, NJ 07052
973-325-2309
973-325-1999 (fax)

New York Office
373 Park Avenue South
9th floor
New York, NY 10016-8805
212-213-0220
212-213-9230 (fax)

Ohio Office
1480 Dublin Road
Columbus, OH 43215
614-340-1997
614-487-1051 (fax)

Pennsylvania Office
622 2nd Avenue
Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-402-0351
412-562-2119 (fax)

Rhode Island
249 Roosevelt Avenue
Suite 202
Pawtucket, RI 02860

Texas Office
3200 Travis St.
3rd Floor
Houston, TX 77006
713-526-2004
713-526-2003 (fax)

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

[Jacobin]

2. Its ABB in action

I think he's vague about these things on purpose so that he can do what he wants/can do when elected.

He's not my candidate but I'll vote for him....like the majority of american voters (I believe) who will vote for him to get that piece of filth out of the WH.

[orwell]

4. Pointers

President Kerry talks about it all the time.

It's all here:

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/economy/
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/homeland/
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/iraq/

O

[Mattforclark]

7. The media doesn't cover actual issues

Why would they do something useful like that?

When Clark came out with his innovative tax plan, for example, it was mentioned roughly twice in the media. Things like what kind of sweater a candidate wears are much more important than actual issues. Why would anyone care about issues?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. How did you get this far without reading Kerry's policy positions?

Perhaps you don't like or don't understand Kerry's positions, but they are clear and they haven't changed.





"All i hear is bitch bitch bitch. I know, there is plenty to bitch about, but that will only get him so far."

That is a quote from your post, I agree with every word except the word 'him' which should read 'you'
-- so my sentiment is:

All i hear is bitch bitch bitch. I know, there is plenty to bitch about, but that will only get you so far.

[frank frankly]

11. zing!

btw...what does your name mean?

:shrug:

I was terrible at Bumper Stumpers, too!

:hi:

[digno dave]

16. boy, with teamwork like this Bush doesn't have a prayer!!!

cvcv

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Can you tell us what Bush's plan is?

[digno dave]

21. plan for what?

v

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

23. All the items in your opening post

You assume Bush has a plan for Iraq, a plan for national security and a plan for the budget...it isn't obvious to me

[digno dave]

26. Bush's plan is not the point.

You cant say "well, my opponent doesn't have a plan so i don't have to have one either...duh".

Dubya's plan is in action. In fact, it is not longer a "plan", it is an "act". We are living (and dying) with his plan every second of the day. That's not the point.
It is Kerry's repsonsibility to express his plan and ideology because the nation knows what dubyas is already.

[bigtree]

35. And here you are again asserting that Kerry has no plan.

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry proposes repeal of tax cuts for wealthy August 30, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_0829d.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry details tax plan in UNH policy speech, August 29, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_0829b.html

:: John Kerry for President - John Kerry Pledges to Support Middle Class Families, Not Raise Their Taxes, September 09, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0909b.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry Advocates Repealing Some Tax Cuts, August 29, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_0829e.html

:: John Kerry for President - John Kerry Calls for Crack Down on Corporations That Avoid Taxes, October 24, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1024a.html

:: John Kerry for President - “Tax Fairness for Americans” - Remarks by John Kerry, Wed, 10 Mar 2004 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0310.html
____________________________________________________________________

:: John Kerry for President - Foreign Policy :: http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

:: John Kerry for President - Big names help Kerry hone his foreign policy message :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_1120a.html

:: John Kerry for President - Make America More Secure by Reducing Dependence on Foreign Oil Says Kerry, June 19, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0619.html

:: John Kerry for President - John Kerry Raps George Bush’s ‘Preparedness Gap’, July 16, 2003:: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0716.html

:: John Kerry for President - Foreign Policy Speech at Georgetown University, January 23, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_0123.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry Statement on President's Speech on Iraq :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_0908b.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry Talks Security in Orlando, March 04, 2004 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0304c.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry Calls for Rumsfeld's Resignation September 25, 2003:: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_0926.html

:: John Kerry for President - Kerry Says Bush Has Credibility Gap July 16, 2003 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_0716.html

:: John Kerry for President - John Kerry to Deliver Speech on Terrorism and National Security Tomorrow February 26, 2004 :: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0226f.html

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. If you don't know what they are how can you claim they are "fuzzy?"

I find your critiques a bit disingenuous.

[digno dave]

17. I read something about "maybe" extending the middile class tax cut.

fuzzy enough for you?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. No it's not fuzzy

Frankly how Kerry won was ON THE GROUND meeting with people, many of whom have posted here..when those people left those meet ups, they were clear on his positions.

If clarity of policy got people elected and made them popular, please explain how Bush and arnold got elected.

[digno dave]

24. here's how

I think Bush got elected becuase he was a supposed "uniter" and a CC. That and Gore's campaign bafoonery and anti-Clintonism.
Arnold...well. Gray Davis. Enough said.

[sandnsea]

30. Link???

Where'd you get this "maybe" stuff?

And what's your real agenda? I don't think even the most sour graped Dean supporter on this board would say that. So what's your game?

[waldenx]

13. outlining policy?

That would mean he would have to make a clear choice and stand for something, which he has never done in his career.

The sad, sad, sick part... is that Dems don't care.

[sandnsea]

14. Just now???

rotfl. Excuse me but was the argument not about repealing all the tax cuts or keeping the middle class tax cuts for months and months?? Was Kerry not a Bush-lite cockroach for "supporting" the Bush tax cuts? This place is hysterical sometimes. Just now. :eyes:

[bigtree]

22. Plenty to bitch about

Like Democrats who spend more time tearing at theri own candidate instead of focusing their energy at beating Bush.

Either you don't or won't read or listen to Kerry's speech's. Or, perhaps you have been sucked into the media blather that dominates the discussion. Your efforts should be pushing the positive aspects of his agenda foward in every forum you encounter. Leave the second-guessing critisism and grousing to his opponents.

Your complaints echo the republican attacks. Can't you do better than this? You've got the time to come here and slam him, but you don't have the time to research and push the positive points of his agenda? How do you expect Kerry to win this one by himself? Get out there and advocate for him! It is mindless to come to a Democratic board and parrot the Rove meme that Kerry is all negative and has no positive agenda.

Here's a good illustration of Kerry's progress in his fight against Bush at http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/ :

Press Room

Associated Press: Kerry Wants Deeper Middle Class Tax Cuts
March 11, 2004: Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry called Wednesday for deeper tax cuts for the middle class than proposed by President Bush and described his Republican critics as "the most crooked ... lying group I've ever seen."
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0311.html


Washington Post: Bush Choice for Manufacturing Post in Question
March 11, 2004: Six months after promising to create an office to help the nation's struggling manufacturers, President Bush settled on someone to head it, but the nomination was being reconsidered last night after Democrats revealed that his candidate had opened a factory in China.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0311d.html


USA Today: Dean, Kerry shelve their rivalry to concentrate on toppling Bush
March 11, 2004: Howard Dean once dismissed John Kerry as "a Washington insider who shifts back and forth with every poll." But the pair met Wednesday to discuss how Dean could help Kerry win the White House this fall.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0311b.html


Statement from Kerry on President Bush’s New Attack Ad
March 11, 2004: The following statement was issued today by John Kerry in response to President Bush’s decision to launch a new negative television ad:
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0311b.html


Kerry Statement: Today's State-by-State Jobless Numbers Show Bush's Broken Promises on Economy
March 10, 2004: Today in response to the state-by-state unemployment data released today by the Department of Labor, Democratic candidate for President John Kerry issued the following statement:
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0310b.html


Bush Manufacturing Policy Can't Even Create One New Manufacturing Job
March 10, 2004: Yesterday, George W. Bush proved yet again how difficult it is for his Administration to create even one new manufacturing job. It took six months after announcing they would create a manufacturing czar for the Bush Administration to actually announce a candidate. The Bush Administration finally suggested a candidate for the job. Their candidate ran a manufacturing company that had recently laid off workers and moved a plant to China. Moreover, their candidate had even mentioned that the reason so many businesses are being hurt is because of the manufacturing policies put in place by George W. Bush.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0311.html


New Manufacturing “Czar”: 5 Months in the Making
March 10, 2004: After nearly 5 months since announcing the creation of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing, President Bush has chosen Tony Raimondo, CEO of Behlen Manufacturing to fill the post.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0310c.html


Los Angeles Times: Kerry Adds 4 Southern States to His Wins
March 10, 2004: John F. Kerry racked up four more wins in Democratic presidential primaries Tuesday, while on the campaign trail he continued to focus his fire on President Bush.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0310c.html


Boston Globe: Kerry offers monthly debates
March 10, 2004: John F. Kerry yesterday proposed a series of monthly "issues" debates with President Bush during the long run-up to Election Day, while twisting Bush's reelection slogan of "steady leadership" to suggest that the rigid policies of the current White House are harming Americans.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2004_0310b.html


“Tax Fairness for Americans”
March 10, 2004: Thank you John, Rich, Linda, and members of the Executive Council, for inviting me to spend a few minutes talking with you about what’s at stake in this election. I want to thank you for the great welcome and endorsement in Washington. Never have we needed to work together more effectively and energetically than now. And as I said in Washington: this November, we are going to beat George Bush and get our economy back on track.
Read More: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0310.html


The links beside 'Read More' are for especially you digno dave. I look foward to your many future posts in full defense and support of our party's candidate.

More:

All Press Releases: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/index.html

All Speeches: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/index.html

All News Articles: http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/index.html

[digno dave]

25. i'm on your team

I am trying to get the guy elected. OK. This(policuy positions) is someting i thought that wasn't coming through in the mainstream news coverage. I think he needs to figure out a way to get it in the mainstream news coverage.
To the news people i am sure a derogatory remark about your opponent is going to get more coverage than a thoughtful layout of a policy position. Unfortunatly, all we are hearing are the derogatory comments. maybe for his next few stump speeched he should stick to positive themes. That way the networks, newspapers will have only that to choose from.

[bigtree]

27. He (we) will use every instigation of democracy to defeat Bush

In this case, blame the messenger. BTW, what do you think is the effect of plastering your negative, uninformed criticisms on the net? Wouldn't your stated intention to "get the guy elected" be better served by a promotion of the positive aspects of his agenda? You can make the difference.

edit:sp

[digno dave]

31. ugh

So being critical of how someone is running their camaign is off limits to discussion?
Sorry, i am not a propaganda machine for John Kerry or anyone else.

[bigtree]

32. I think your grousing is boring and useless

You offer a view of the Democratic campaign that rivals the republican's in it's mindless, distorted, crooked criticism. I'm beginning to doubt your commitment to unseating Bush. Perhaps you would do better challenging yourself to further inform yourself on Kerry's actual efforts and positions instead of substituting them with your own cynical views.

[SangamonTaylor]

33. how? botox, a scream, rumors of an affair, a 'crooks' comment

the media doesn't want an actual discussion of the issues. If they provide a forum for a discussion on taxes then the 98% of American's who Bush has been explaining his 'Kerry will increase your taxes...this is a tax increase' will realize that only the top 2% of American's will return to the Clinton tax scheme. Boy, those making over 200k must be really hurting...

[w4rma]

36. If you can figure out how to get big media to air it, please do it.

Imho, Sen. Kerry is doing all he can to get his positions out there.