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Scipio · 09-20-2004, 01:29 PM

The campaign is rounding second base right now. We're not quite to the home stretch just yet, but we're certainly over the hump. The conventions are over, and the money is even and limited. Current polling trends indicate a move back towards the incumbent. How large that move is depends on who you ask, and on what direction you lean.

Consider that an introduction. Here's what I think about the question at hand.

Kerry's campaign has been plagued by two main problems. One, they have been continually distracted by small battles over news stories and issues, and have neglected the overall war to get into the White House. The Swift Boat Vet fiasco is only one extreme example of this. Two, the campaign has been spoiled by having too many chiefs, and not enough indians at the top. This is a byproduct of the wide field in the primary, and of the transition from a divided party to a unified party.

So, what does Kerry need to DO? He's already shaken up his campaign leadership. I don't think it would be wise for him to do it again before the election, so may or may not have already solved problem number 2. We'll find out soon enough. Two, he needs to get a message, or a line of attack, and hammer it home every day until the election. The message needs to be simple, political, and endlessly repeated. It must be short, free of nuance, and sharp. Three, he needs to get his message out through surrogates. John Edwards needs to start going on television. Every loyal democratic official, pundit, candidate, etc. needs to be out there spouting that simple message.

Kerry needs to tie Bush to the deteriorating situation in Iraq. That seems to be his strategy for the home stretch. Hopefully, he'll refine that message and stick with it.

09-20-2004, 01:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scipio Mencken Location: College	What does Kerry need to do to win? The campaign is rounding second base right now. We're not quite to the home stretch just yet, but we're certainly over the hump. The conventions are over, and the money is even and limited. Current polling trends indicate a move back towards the incumbent. How large that move is depends on who you ask, and on what direction you lean. Consider that an introduction. Here's what I think about the question at hand. Kerry's campaign has been plagued by two main problems. One, they have been continually distracted by small battles over news stories and issues, and have neglected the overall war to get into the White House. The Swift Boat Vet fiasco is only one extreme example of this. Two, the campaign has been spoiled by having too many chiefs, and not enough indians at the top. This is a byproduct of the wide field in the primary, and of the transition from a divided party to a unified party. So, what does Kerry need to DO? He's already shaken up his campaign leadership. I don't think it would be wise for him to do it again before the election, so may or may not have already solved problem number 2. We'll find out soon enough. Two, he needs to get a message, or a line of attack, and hammer it home every day until the election. The message needs to be simple, political, and endlessly repeated. It must be short, free of nuance, and sharp. Three, he needs to get his message out through surrogates. John Edwards needs to start going on television. Every loyal democratic official, pundit, candidate, etc. needs to be out there spouting that simple message. Kerry needs to tie Bush to the deteriorating situation in Iraq. That seems to be his strategy for the home stretch. Hopefully, he'll refine that message and stick with it. __________________ "Erections lasting more than 4 hours, though rare, require immediate medical attention."