The Bush campaign is off message, but not the Kerry campaign.

[bigtree]

All of the noise about the IWR, swiftlies and cheney jibes is completely irrelevant to most voters, especially those in the swing states who have been hit hard by the Bush economy and have seen their heath care costs rise and are losing insurance. The media and the Bush campaign want you to believe that these smears are the most important thing in the campaign, but most voters have indicated that the economy, jobs and health care are their main concerns.

To spend all of our time bantering about the distortions and lies about Vietnam or the IWR plays right into the Bush campaign's attempt to draw attention away from their poor management of the economy. The Bush campaign is off message, not the Kerry campaign.

I would suggest that folks pay less attention to the media shills and their circus shows and more attention to Kerry's campaign which is racking up some impressive numbers against Bush in the states that will matter in November by remaining focus on the issues that actually relate to voter's daily lives.

[xray s]

1. very good insights, but...

...Bush isn't off message, he has NO message.

Smear attacks is all they have. Nothing else.

[BillZBubb]

2. Sorry, but the Bush* campaign is not off message.

They are successfully getting out the message they want to get out. You are correct that their message doesn't address voters primary concerns. But, there's a reason for that: Bush*s record sucks.

But, I repeat, they are right on message. They want the media to cover terrorism, Cheney's rants, and Kerry's supposed flip-flops only. That's to their advantage.

Kerry may be talking about the right things, things that mean something to voters, but he's not getting heard at the national level.

[joanne]

5. Doesnt seem to be working according to nearly every poll

He has spent millions so far to no avail. He is... at best... running even with Kerry, depending on which poll you read. But nearly all polls have Kerry ahead.

[bigtree]

10. I ran a post awhile back that outlined the efforts the Kerry campaign

was making in key states to saturate the local media. Don't underestimate the power of these local appeals.

[BillZBubb]

13. But, I wasn't referring to the horserace,

just the tactical effort to control the message. Those are two separate issues.

[bigtree]

7. locally, in the states which will make a difference they are being heard

with theirr focus on local media. Most folks don't have cable or even tune in to the Sunday talkies.

[BillZBubb]

15. We agree on that point.

Kerry is winning the ground war. His local efforts are paying off.

But I think Bush* is controlling the air war--because he's keeping the national discussion on issues that he thinks (hopefully incorrectly) help him. His message is getting out just like Rove wants it to. Kerry's is not.

Bush* does not have a good story to tell. His record is terrible and everyone should know that by now. So, maybe it really doesn't matter. Maybe the public has had enough and won't be influenced by the BushShit.

[WilliamPitt]

11. Kerry is beating Bush on the terrorism issue

or at least tied in every poll I've seen. When Bush campaigns on terrorism and national defense, he's highlighting Kerry's strengths.

[BillZBubb]

12. I seem to remember Bush* having an advantage on terrorism.

The edge shrunk substantially after the convention, but it was still a good sized lead. I'm thinking of the "best able to protect us from terrorism" question. Am I remembering incorrectly?

If Kerry is really beating Bush* on this issue, game over! We win.

[WilliamPitt]

22. It is tied, or Kerry is edging him, pretty much across the board

on those two issues. It isn't game over, but it is a good sign.

[Vincardog]

16. Bush's campaign is not off message

The Bu$h machine has been successfully controlling the focus of the discussion by steering it the way they want. amBushed is correct in that we need to be informing all the voters that the things that matter to them are not being addressed by the Bush Leaguers unless they are in the top 1% of incomes you know bu$h's base. We need to remind folks about little george's real record of failure in every aspect of his life with the sole exception of being born into an extremely corrupt wealthy family. You know Hitlers banker and all that.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

17. Actually I don't think you need to remind voters about Bush's failings

so much as reassure them in the alternative.

[BillZBubb]

20. Agreed.

That's why Rove and Co are doing everything they can to attack Kerry's credibility or force him into a major gaff--that's their message. It's their only hope. They know it.

Kerry has to find a way to move the national discussion to his issues--his message. Those are the issues people care about and he can really shine.

[newyawker99]

27. Hi Vincardog!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[NWHarkness]

3. Excellent post

Thank you

[joanne]

4. I tend to agree with you

Kerry is attracting record crowds in Oregon and Missouri.

He's bringing a message of hope and encouragement to thousands.

He's got quite a few states locked up and there are several others that Chimp should have locked up (such as NC, Tn, etc) that the Repukes are going to have to spend more time and money at than they ever could have dreamed a few months ago.

It's looking great for Kerry.

We can never be complacent or think it is won until it really is on Nov 2.... but I am feeling really good these days.

[Frances]

6. I heard someone on CBS say that Bush can't do much about

his record so he is attacking Kerry to make people think Kerry would not be a good replacement.

But I think Kerry and Edwards are both very smart men and good campaigners.

I think the theory is that local coverage is more important than national coverage when people go to vote. That's why Kerry/Edwards are spending so much time out in the heartland.

I think they are getting much better local coverage than national coverage,judging by the links people at DU provide.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Odd isn't it?

The better Kerry does, the more moaning we see here about IWR and Kerry's lackluster campaign. I wonder why?

[bigtree]

9. Folks are falling for the Bush ploy

Remember how Clinton pushed through the republican attacks? Impeachment, government shutdown? By staying focused on the issues that most mattered to Americans.

We need to remain focused on our own message, on our own agenda.

I won't vouch for the fears of some here.

[tomfodw]

14. Cause we're nervous

And we want a stirring champion who can somehow get through to the inert masses who still, for some reason, can't see what an unworthy, dangerous, failed idiot the president is. Kerry is a good man and will be a good president, but he's not that champion.

[Old and In the Way]

19. Funny, but I think he is the anti-Bush.

Of course, getting elected is only part of the equation. Kerry needs to get a big mandate and a majority in Congress to execute on his agenda. Kerry has run a fantastic campaign...so far. Bush is sinking, Kerry is taking the high road (which will be important after he takes office in January), and I think the actual election results will be impressive. Then we can use this internet thing to keep the pressure on and get a progressive agenda pushed through. I believe people are going to be surprised on just how effective he is going to be in promoting and executing on that agenda.

[WilliamPitt]

23. "...we want a stirring champion..."

You got a mouse in your pocket there, chief? Who's "we"? ;) ;)

I just want to fucking win, pardon my language. You don't go from suck to glory in one election. You sure as hell don't recover from the last four years quickly. I don't care if Jesus H. Christ is the nominee, and the Buddha is his running mate.

This election, and the next four years, are triage. The sooner that gets through the collective skull here, the better I will feel. It is delusional to expect 'champions' who can win national elections in this grand 21st century. The game is rigged from hoot to holler, and has been for years. Champions run for House and Senate seats in 2006...I'll get to that in a sec.

Do you think *any* progressive legislation is getting passed during Kerry's first two years? We ain't taking back the Congress in November, so Kerry will have Hastert, Frist and DeLay to work with. The Happy Fun Group, I like to call them. If God On High pointed Her Mighty Finger at these three assjacks and ordered them to pass universal health care and an omnibus education reform package, they'd have Her denounced as a French liberal elitist baby-killing swine who lied about Her service in the Great Angelic War.

You want champions? Do the entire country a great service and find one, and have him or her run for a House or Senate seat in 2006. Get John Kerry a congress, and you'll get him a second term. Get him a second term and a congress, and watch what happens. I, for one, can't wait.

But I'm gonna, because 2004 is about win first. High ideals and hopes for Kerry's first 100 days will certainly be met with deep disappointment. We win nothing with a Kerry victory but the blessed opportunity to start digging out from the storm we've been in for a thousand days.

2006.

[BobL]

26. "...through the collective skull..."

Don't count on it.

It may be genetics, but I have gazed in wonder for many years at the swiftness of my fellow democrats to kick their guy in the shin when they don't get 100% of their wish list.

The evil republican beast will be slayed through superior salesmanship rather than sticks and stones.They manage the debate with the rhetoric of social class division and a pitch to the millionaire wannabes.It reminds me of the late night snake oil salesman that promise me a rosy future if I just send them 39 buck's and change.

What my far lefty friends fail to understand is that we won't see FDR rise from the ashes until enough people have been swindled out of their life savings....until then I'll settle for triage even if it only amounts to a band-aid.

[newyawker99]

28. Hi BobL!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[question everything]

18. OK, but I still would like Kerry to be ready

and to attack back

They question Kerry's military service? Attack that his priorities were better than Cheney. Or, as was said on the Bill Maher's show - did not spend the time partying in Alabama.

Instead of defending, go back on the attack. There is nothing new, we know what their plans of attack are:

- the wealth of both Kerry and Edwards
- Edwards "lack of experience"
- both lack of experience as executives
- their support of IWR
- Kerry's Vietnam service

We know them, so why not have a counterattack for each point? Why walk into a trap? Just respond with a one line zinger and dispose of the matter and, yes, move to the areas of concerns: jobs and the economy. The way the stock market has been behaving recently, even investors are not going to be too happy with Bush. And the stock market affects all of us. Not only our pension funds and 401Ks (for those lucky enough to have one) but also our insurance premiums. If we look at our cars and home insurance premiums, prices went up because the companies were losing money in the stock market - whey they invest.

And someone should be able to explain in simple terms how the deficit makes us even more beholden for foreign investors.

And why let them sail away with Goss?

[wyethwire]

21. "change" is always the easier message to convey

the trick is preparing the people to accept it

[shraby]

24. You people are forgetting

Gore got the majority of votes in 2000. He also won Florida but it was snatched from him by the thieves. This time around people are mad who voted for Gore, and will vote for Kerry, and the people who voted for off candidates are also mad about the thieves, so I spect to see a lot of them go for Kerry too. Plus Dems aren't going to be fooled twice and will be watching the votes. Barring election shut down or massive Diebold stealing votes, Kerry is going to win.

[DrFunkenstein]

25. Not In The Middle Of A War

The trick is two-fold:

1. Making them hate the horse they rode in on.

2. Finding them a nice horse to switch mid-stream.