Kerry Must Do The Unexpected

[demwing]

It's possible that on Friday in the second US Presidential debate, the scales of popular opinion will tip towards one candidate, and momentum will carry that man to the Whitehouse.

Thats fine, if our guy gets the momentum. But I think that the press will be in full Bush spin mode from Friday till Monday, and Bush will try to make Kerry look feeble and on defense. Apart from his debate performance, this tactic has worked for Bush for the last two months. Expect more on Friday.

So, what does Kerry do to counter all this?

We all expect Kerry to try to act from his position - as the challenger - and to dog Bush through the debate, always on the offense, always on the attack. After all, it worked very well in debate #1. But there was a message from that debate that I hope Kerry caught. "Tell us what you will do!"

So, kerry shoulddo the unexpected. Instead of focusing on Bush, Kerry should focus on himself. Instead of dancing around his Senate record, Kerry should stand on it proudly. Instead of referring people to his website for info, Kerry should explain his plans and goals in simple terms. Instead of running as if he were the challenger, Kerry should act as if were already the President, and that Bush is dogging him. Bush, with his mighty ego wrestling his mighty confusion, will be happy to try to dog Kerry.

Kerry must do the unexpected. His must lead in this debate, and he must talk about his four point plan, his economic plans, and his healthcare plans. Kerry must run on his plans as if he were running on his record.

He should call Bush "my opponent" or "my challenger," never say the words Bush and President in the same sentence, and focus on the fact that Bush has no record on which to run. Turn Bush into the challenger, get it?

thoughts?

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. I read your title and thought immediately

Punch Bush in the face. It would be unexpected and I think it would put a stop to this "Kerry is weak" notion.... As I've already voted, I can't say that he would then get my vote, but it'd be nice to see. :)

[apnu]

3. oh the irony considering who your avatar is!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

6. You must not know Jimmy Carter very well...

...you don't get through Georgia Tech, the Naval Academy and THEN get into Admiral Rickover's nuclear navy by being a wimp.

[apnu]

7. yeah but Carter today is a pacifist

At least he seems like it.

[papau]

2. Kerry MUST BE "on the offense" since Bush is selling "wimp" - but your

other ideas:

simple words

simple 4 point plans for economy, whatever

simple summary of Senate record

I totally agree with.

[ibegurpard]

4. All Kerry can do is the very best he is able.

The rest is out of his control. We can help with the spin machine.

[rocktivity]

5. Yes, all Kerry has to do is act as though Bush is the challenger

who has to explain himself and why he qualifies for the job. What he did particularly well in Debate 1 is make it abundantly clear that he wasn't the least bit nervous or defensive--he was relaxed to the point of serenity. He needs to be the same way tomorrow, and more important, focus on his relationship with "the people" audience--after all that's where the votes are coming from.

:headbang:
rocknation

[venus]

8. Bush is going to try and do the funny, homey persona

while trying to paint Kerry as the boring serious elitist. Unfortunately these are serious times and should not be a joking matter. Hope Bush does take this angle because he will then beautifully crash and burn.

[Guaranteed]

9. I tend to agree...because the town-hall debate is about connecting

with people. You can't go into balls-out attack-mode in a town hall debate.

[xyboymil]

10. Bush is not Cheney..and Kerry is not Gore...

Meaning the challenge that Edwards had with a master debater in Dick Cheney, Kerry does not have. Simply put, Bush is not a good debater. He never has been.

In 2000, Bush looked good because Al Gore did so poorly (we all recall the eye roles, sighes, and Al literally getting in to the personal space of Bush).

Bush also had no record to defend. He was the challenger and could look to 8 years of Clinton/Gore to pick apart Gore's weaknesses. Now the tables are completely switched and Bush is already on the defensive because of the war.

I dont think Kerry needs to change much from what he did on Thursday. he was strong, firm, and every bit Presidential. Bush is in trouble..and you know what? Rove and Bush know it. :nuke: