Here's the Whole Ball of Wax--and What the Media is Doing About It....

[ItsMyParty]

Americans know nothing of the workings of their government. Only the choir go to the campaign rallies. It's now a psych game to get the people on "your" side so smelling victory that they pack the polls. Enter the media.

Their mission (performed flawlessly--and the worst I've ever seen it)was to begin on Labor Day to tell those who are on the Kerry side that Kerry is "done", "finished", "floundering". The message is "no need to vote, move on, you are the "loooooosers". All those favoring Kerry are not like us saying "fuck you--I know the crap game you play and I'll fight to the end". All they need is a few percent saying "Dems blew it again" and they have the election.

I seriously don't think it makes much difference what Kerry talks about on the campaign trail now because only meaningless soundbites make the news. Perhaps the best thing he could do (Ronnie did it) is to attack the media and call them the propaganda arm of the Bush regime...and keep it up and keep it up. Call them out---what do we have to lose because according to them we already lost.

[Guaranteed]

1. I think they're finished with that now.

Kerry's hitting back hard.

[napi21]

2. No, you don't wanat to pi** off the media. We need them!

No matter what you think about them, they have the ability to sway a lot of opinions! More of an opportunity than either candidate or party has. The trick is to get YOUR good soundbites in the media. Get GREAT speakers for you on all the tv talk shows. Use the media, not pi** them off.

[A Brand New World]

3. Local Media

My opinion, as the wife of a local media person, is that Kerry does not seem to use the local media to his benefit. We were at the Springfield OH midnight rally last week. Several local media people hung around til he got on the bus hoping that he would come over for an interview, but he acted like they weren't even there. Granted it was 1 a.m., but if that is how it is at each rally, then I think he's missing a lot of good PR. They generally are not wanting a lot of time but 5 minutes certainly would be a good investment. And I agree, you must keep the media on your side, even the local guys.

[napi21]

5. Good to hear from someone on the inside! Thanks.

I don't really know what it's like to be on the campaign trail for over a year. Personally, I don't want to find out either! I think you're right on taking that extra 5 mins. I think that's what Clinton did, but then he was always getting criticized for ALWAYS being LATE!!! I can only hope the professionals who run campaigns know a lot more than I do, and lead Kerry & Edwards in the right direction.

[0rganism]

6. You're right on there, voyager -- Kerry could use the local coverage

(and welcome to DU, by the way)

The national media may be swinging for bush, but the local media outlets are very much up for grabs. A solid interview with the presidential challenger could be a great boost for a local reporter's career, and would not be overlooked.

So maybe if JK can't get the coverage he'd like with the biggies, he can sidestep them entirely by giving interviews to local affilliates, especially in swing states.

It's sad to see another lost opportunity to connect with the public.

[buycitgo]

8. zackly.........remember how Bush started taking his message

directly to the local media outlets when Rove perceived that he was beginning to get less than 95 percent fawning national coverage?

can't believe Kerry hasn't studied Rovian tactics more closely

he wrote the 21st century book

[buycitgo]

7. REALLY stupid on his part

especially in light of the copious references here to how local media FAWN over Bush at almost every stop

this, due in large part to local media's ownership by greedy piglicans

Kerry obviously realizes that the campaign is almost completely based on the schwing states. Ergo, he MUST make the best use possible of as many local media opportunities as possible

I really don't like hearing about this

[A Brand New World]

11. Local Media

The idea too is that people connect with their local media. These are the folks that they listen to each evening; that they know live amongst them. To see John Kerry/John Edwards taking the time to talk directly to one of their own I think would go over extremely well. It would make them seem more local too. And like I say, it would only take 5 minutes. They're not wanting a long drawn out interview, just a few statements. IMHO

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Yes! nt

[zaj]

4. The Republicans spent the last 20 years crying 'liberal media"

"I admit it -- the liberal media were never that powerful, and the whole thing was often used as an excuse by conservatives for conservative failures."
William Kristol, as reported by the New Yorker, 5/22/95


Crying wolf worked... Might as well turn the tables.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Fuck you - I know the crap game you play and I'll fight to the end.

eom

[seabeyond]

10. dems have had to do before, generally too late

but it did make a difference. dean only said it once, they need to say it often when they twist, when they say,..........some people say ect......

[roseBudd]

12. F the media, we can create the story they will have to cover

I work for print media so I cannot distribute these myself.

We the people can create an issue that brings the media to us using viral and guerilla marketing techniques. Guerilla marketing means we disseminate our message using non-traditional delivery systems. Viral marketing means that the message creates buzz and it propagates exponentially. The computer ushered in the age of print and web based media accessibility to the masses. We are paying a lot of attention to online media and ignoring the most far reaching: PRINT media.
An example of an effective print piece highlighting Bush's failure and MOCKING him in the process:

high resolution version for printing here:
http://somnamblst.tripod.com /


Most people have not read the 8/6/2001 PDB. This is a postcard size version that can be distributed in a variety of ways, to a variety of audiences.

Put them on car windshields. Hand them out on street corners. Drop them on driveways in the suburbs where the frightened inhabitants are sure to contact the authorities.

We don't need TV buys to get some attention on this issue. We have to undermine Bush's perceived strength. We all are potential disseminators of printed media. We do not need a newspapers permission or lots of money for TV commercials. We all have access to printers, photocopiers and paper. Many of us are very talented users of PhotoShop or Freehand. We all can create print ads like the one above. If we the people can create a buzz with massive distribution of printed ads we will get media coverage. The possibilities are endless regarding this type of grass roots guerilla marketing. Kerry is our product, Bush is the product we must crush.

The Bush administration's complete INCOMPETENCE is key to undermining his strength.

This is so clever and doable it is diabolical.

[PeaceProgProsp]

14. Coming from behind is worth twice as much as exanding a small lead.

Who cares if they said he was way behind. If they're forced to admit that they're tied, then people will think he's moving forward with a huge head of steam.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. kick

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. If he attacks the media,

they won't cover him AT ALL. Or, if they do cover him, it would be ALL negative. <sigh>