Kerry too 'French' to sway 'adolescent' Americans: consultant | AFP

[patriotvoice]

<<LONDON (AFP) - US presidential hopeful John Kerry needs to stop acting so French if he wants to win the race for the White House, a French-born, US-based consultant and "medical anthropologist" says.

"Kerry's trouble is that he is simply not the common man," Clotaire Rapaille, who's been contacted by Kerry's campaign team for advice, told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.>>

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&e=9&u=/afp/britain_us_vote_kerry

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. That's a good thing.

Fuck Bush and his "common man" schtick.

Gore won the last election and Kerry will win this one.

[wryter2000]

3. What's so damned common about *, anyway?

Aside from the fact that he's a common liar and crook?

[devinsgram]

12. Exactly,

What's so damned common about *, anyway? He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Nothing common about that. If I wanted someone common to run the country, I could go to the nearest bar and pick someone out. Oh! I forgot that's what the Republican party did. Sorry.

[Benhurst]

21. Good one, devinsgram! n/t

[Sandpiper]

39. He's functionally illiterate?

For some reason, people seem to equate Bush's stupidity and bad grammar with being a "common man."

[wryter2000]

2. Lemmee get this right

Someone named Clotaire Rapaille thinks Kerry's too French? :wtf:

The name is Irish. It was taken by a Jew during the Holocaust. He's married to a woman named Heinz. Does have anything whatsoever French about him?

Besides, does French still qualify as an insult?

[KittyWampus]

4. Excuse My Language But: This Is The Stupidest Shit

I've ever read.

Yahoo News really knows how to pick their articles... the Telegraph?

[alcuno]

6. That's why FAUX News actually interviewed the guy!

Ils sont tout un paquet d'idiots.

[Teddy_Salad]

5. Bush

And I think Bush is too German.......of the nazi variety, circa 1930's - 1940's.

[TankLV]

47. Ya got that right!

Good one.

But sadly true.

[dArKeR]

7. 'Common man' hides TX Air Guard - 'Rich man' goes to Nam to die for

country. Sees thousands of 18 year old American children butchered to death and comes home to give the truth from personal experience.

'Common man' drugs and boozes himself and stuffs rich foods into his mouth and goes AWOL.

Yes, there's a big story in this French thing!

These Repuke covert operative need to be sent "To' prison for 'Treason'.

[rocktivity]

8. Perhaps those adolescents would enjoy being swayed by the draft

Any draft age-Bush supporter should be enlisted and in Iraq right now, anyway.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Flagg]

9. that's xenophobia

pure and simple

[Bluzmann57]

10. OK I am not the smartest man in the world

but I'm not the stupidest either. What the hell does "Too French" mean? As has been stated, Kerry is of Irish descent. Even if he was of French descent, who the hell cares besides a bunch of dumb asses who eat freedom Fries" instead of good ol' french fries? That is quite simply one of the stupidest statements I have ever heard. Are the wingers getting so desperate that they have to portray a man as "too French"? Being too French probably isn't all that bad, as being Liberal isn't a bad thing either. Stupid bastards.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

13. Yes they are that stupid and desparate. This "French" thing is WAY

old and comes straight out of the Rove White House. I remember reading some "unnammed WH official" making this comment (dismissing him by saying "he looks too French") in a Washington Post (I think) article way back when the first Dem candidates including Kerry were being declared, long before Dean's long tenure as the media frontrunner. This was during the war's propaganda runup, France bashing and Freedom Fries.

No doubt shrubco was very pleased with itself. This has been making the Repub rounds ever since, you occasionally see it on freerepublic etc. And now this French guy. I suspect this will net them all of about 5 votes or so. Probably all in TX.

[mobuto]

27. Kerry isn't of Irish descent

On his mother's side he's blue blood Yankee (of British stock) and on his father's side he's a Czech Jew. Note also the lack of French blood.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

42. The funny thing is that there is no such thing as looking "French"

France is a melting pot every bit as much as the US. In its long history, France has had Basques (who are probably the oldest racial/ethnic group in Europe with a pre-Indo European language - their ancestors are said to be the ones who painted the caves at Lascaux). They have many Corsicans in the south who come to the mainland because there is little work on the beautiful island. Over one million Spanish came across the French border to settle in southern France during the Spanish revolution - therefore accounting for many Spanish surnames in Southwestern France. Many Italians have settled in Southeastern France to escape poverty in Italy in previous times, and part of that region used to belong to the Duke of Savoy. France has celtic people (the Gauls and the people of Brittany), it has ancestors of Swedes and Danes (the Vikings or Normans who settled in Normandie), Germanic Francs, Bourbons, and the Germanics who live in the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, outside of Russia. Tens of thousands of white Russians fled to France when the Czar of Russia fell. Tens of thousands of Armenians fled and France to make their homes after the Armenian genocide. Many Poles fled to France for a better life. Vietnamese, Laotians, and Cambodians settled in France, those able to immigrate when France lost Indochina. Many subsaharan Africans have settled in France. Of course many North African arabic-speaking people have also immigrated to France. You find Greeks, Portuguese migrant workers who have established residence there, and also many English ex-patriots, especially in southern France. The French themselves often say there are no real French in France, whatever that means. France has been a crossroads of people, wave after wave, who have settled in that very fortunate, fertile, temperate, and beautiful piece of land located between three bodies of water.

[kskiska]

11. Was Thomas Jefferson too "French?"

The founding fathers spent quite a bit of time on the Continent – mostly in France, and they spoke the language, too. Washington, D.C., was designed by a Frenchman, Pierre L'Enfant.

[lolly]

24. So was Lafayette

Let's purge them both from all our textbooks.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. I suppose shrubco could make a big show of returning the Statue

of Liberty since France is such an enemy of the U.S. now, or scrap Pierre L'Enfant's design of D.C. to make it look more like Galveston, TX with a bunch of oil derricks everywhere. That'd be sweet.

[Fovea]

15. Not oil derricks

That would be too phallic, too Clinton.
Asscroft couldn't cope with it.

More like a huge big box mall, with a 24 lane superhighway running through it, right next to the tomb of the unknown pedestrian.
Replace the eternal flame with a Unocal station with reflecting pool
of burning crude as the Gulf War Memorial.

[patriotvoice]

16. About Dr. Clotaire Rapaille and a theory on Kerry's strategy

Dr. Rapaille advanced theories on cultural archetypes, which he parlayed into a profitable 'image remake' business. He is a classic 'ad man,' and his work has allowed major multi-national corporations to refine their image and increase their customer base.

So while I respect Dr. Rapaille's theories, I abhor his use of them to expand the hold of companies whose policies I find reprehensible.

However, the Kerry camp chose Dr. Rapaille for his effective techniques and will likely heed his advice. While I find this distasteful on a couple of levels (first, it's Dr. Rapaille, second because his suggestion is to pander to the "adolescent" American), it is nonetheless a tactic that seems to fit with the Kerry MO: repulse some guaranteed supporters in favour of winning some non-guaranteed support.

Kerry knows that he must seize both the electoral and popular vote, otherwise he risks another 2000 'selection' process; if the question goes to the Supreme Court, Bush will win again. Consequently, Kerry seems to be running a strategy of capture as many slighly-right-of-center voters as possible, in an effort to avoid this 'selection scenario.'

Figuring out how exactly how to tap into the American cultural archetype is precisely the reason Dr. Rapaille's been consulted; I hope the gambit plays out for Kerry.

For more information:
http://www.rapailleinstitute.com/
http://www.archetypediscoveriesworldwide.com/

[dawn]

17. This is just so lame.

What the f*ck does "acting French" mean, anyway? Being able to speak the language? Visiting France? Huh?

Maybe I should be worried. When in Paris, I was continually stopped by French people, asking me questions in French. Some wanted a light for their cigarette, others wanted directions! I guess I looked and dressed "too French." Perhaps I should be deported. :)

[Rex]

18. Adolescent Americans can't find France on a map.

I doubt they really care enough to vote. Another puff story for the BFEE. :eyes:

EDIT - I don't mean DU adolescents. I would bet 99% of DU youth know where France is!

[PartyPooper]

22. The closest some of these folks will ever get to France is Las Vegas

when they walk the strip...and, they stroll past the Paris Hotel & Casino!

:eyes:

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

19. ...and Americans need to stop using so much ketchup on their steaks

Kerry has nothing to do with France. Get over it.

[RememberWellstone]

20. Oooooooooooooooo Geeezus.

Whats next? His peni is too big so white middle class men will be intimidated...do these people have anything else to do besides micro-manage?? Geezus. W looks like a moron...maybe he is intimidating the "special" needs crowd. Gawd!

[Rochambeau]

23. Please John Forbes Kerry

Tell them that SHE LOOKS TOO FRENCH !!!!




As a frenchman, and proud of it, I say to them clearly, NEVER USE AN IMAGE OF HER ANYMORE BASTARDS ! SHE'S WAY TOO FRENCH FOR YOU !!

[icymist]

34. I agree. She is to French for us.

Please don't take from us. We need to be reminded of her greatness!

[Crachet2004]

25. Slander, smears, lies and spin...that is all they have.

Bill Clinton was correct in his approach to this Bullshit; "Get off my back'!

We need to be attacking, not answering every assine comment, like this one. Problem is, there are just too many ways to do it! Bushco is so weak so many ways, I think our guys are having trouble deciding what to focus on. This is a basic problem with any 'target rich environment'.

But then again, it is probably too early in the game for a full court press, by the Kerry campaign.

Besides, don't we want a kind of 'uncommon' man running the country?. Let common men run filling stations-where Bush would be were it not for the old man's money.

[DS1]

26. And this guy's opinion is being reported because?

:eyes:

[Jane Eyre]

28. Wait, the Sunday Telegraph?

Isn't that the propaganda arm of Richard Perle et al?

Rapaille has been "contacted" by the campaign team for advice? Um, was he hired or was he just contacted? If he was hired, somebody had better hurry up and fire this guy because talking to Faux News about his troubles with Kerry's French looks is highly unprofessional.

[Rochambeau]

29. agree !

even his complete statements are not very serious too. This guy doesn't help Kerry that's obvious. Kerry must not fake. When a guy plays a part everybody can see it.

[progressivebydesign]

30. Hate to say it.. but Bush is likable.. to many, many people.

He has played his part well.. or shall I say he has played Rove's part for him very well. Bush comes off as the kind of guy you'd like to have over for a beer. THAT is why Clinton won, twice. Bush, from what I've read, is actually a funny person, and a likable person.. if you meet him socially. I don't think that the consultant was really that far off base. The nation is getting more and more.. well.. casual (for lack of a better word). Though they want someone that's tough on terrorism, they want that person to act and look as though they could or would kick the terrorist ass single-handedly. Not a guy in an expensive suit. Though Bush is so incredibly rich, he comes off as a guy that is middle class. He comes off as a guy that disdains D.C., and the power brokers. That is appealing to voters. Kerry's military background and experience was what catapulted him to the top of the nomination race. For middle-class, everyman appeal, he didn't have it.. nor does he have it now. Dean or Kucinich would have been good choices to convey that vibe voters like. Kerry should listen to the consultant... or he will be cast continually as Al Gore was.. stiff and no-fun (even if it's not true in the least). Perception is EVERYTHING...

[phrenzy]

33. Very True

I'm afraid this post is 100% correct. Clear as day. This was a huge advantage Clinton had over both Bush I and Dole.

It is NOT an advantage Kerry enjoys. Let's just be realistic. Forget about what "we" know, and think about how the average 'nascar' dads look at it.

Now, our best hope is to motivate a new voting base to offset the ignorant 'nascar' people. Hopefully the direness of the election will trigger many of the normally apathetic 20-somethings and howard-stern listener types.

That is our best chance.

Kerry is *not* likeable - like it or not - Clinton was.

Kerry has to play up the 'statesman' role to the hilt and make Bush's "like-ability" turn in to "buffoonery" - We need to sell the 'leader with gravitas' thing majorly.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

43. Agreed. "Down home regular guy" is just not Kerry. It is not a strength

of his, no point trying to cultivate a fake quality.

[dawn]

49. Wow.

Shows how out of touch I am with many people in this country. Bush* reminds me of a wannabe-cowboy. "Down home," my ass.

And he certainly doesn't look like someone who could kick someone's ass.

[progressivebydesign]

54. Yeah...

we're too intelligent to fall for that.. but believe me, at least half of America isn't. They buy into that.. of course.. they also believe WWF is real.

[leesa]

31. Haven't we had enough of 'common', as in common criminal Bush

What a nonsense article. Do people pay this idiot for advice??

[icymist]

32. Kerry is fine, just like he is.

Us common folk have no problem with the way a real American war hero dresses. We don't see where you get this comparison with the French except for an attempt to discredit him by association (because the French wouldn't participate in the illegal war)!

Kerry acts like he's an American and I'm proud of him for it.

[Soup Bean]

35. Don't worry about being a "man of the people".

Just be a man FOR the people. That's all I ask.

[icymist]

36. Hi Soup Bean.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[IndianaGreen]

37. This is true! Kerry is too French!

Every time I hear Kerry's name I have an uncontrollable urge to each French toast. It must be true!

:crazy:

[mulethree]

44. French = northeastern? too close to Quebec?

Some code for not bible-belt enough?

[tlcandie]

38. Can we sing this to the tune of, "I'm too sexy for my ....(fill in blank)?

Absolutely ridiculous! I think some people need a life!

[koopie57]

40. I hope Kerry

ignores all this bullshit that he is too this, or too that. Al Gore tried to make himself into whatever way the wind seemed to be blowing and I think people did grow confused. By the way I like Gore a lot, but I think he did make a poor decision to not allow Clinton to campaign for him and for seeming to apologize for being intelligent. I think Kerry is doing a great job of letting the Bush team hang themselves. I think it must take a lot of discipline to be patient. And I know other people think he should be fighting and not have gone on vacation, but I think it was sort of a good move. I see it as he is driving the bush team nuts by not rising to the bait.

[MetaTrope]

41. AFP stands for Agence France-Presse

:)

[BonjourUSA]

45. Could someone define "too French" for me ?

I'm French and I would like to know what's too French when I look at me in a mirror.

[freeforall]

50. It's the beret and Gauloise cigarette. eom

.

[PartyPooper]

52. Well, if you look in the mirror and you see Jacqueline Kennedy

These fasci$t Americans would say, "you're too French'!"

But, don't worry...help is on the way. We will vote these idiots out of office in November!

Bon jour, BonjourUSA! We love you! :loveya:

:hi:

[evworldeditor]

46. I had my picture taken with George Washington today

... okay, he was an actor with a traveling White House exhibit, but standing next to a man just an inch a half shorter than the original, but decked out in white whig and Colonial army uniform seemed to transport me back in time. It was as if I had a rare chance to meet General Washington, himself.

In reading this thread, I thought about the contrast between the tall, dignified aristocrat who was the only man who could have led the young nation and the likable "popping jay" who thinks he's president now and I wondered if this country can afford another "nice" guy for president.

Then I watched young John Kerry debate with John O'Neill on the replay of 1971 Dick Cavet show... and I contrast Kerry's thoughtful, intelligent responses to the tragedy of that distant war and the angry, spitefulness of O'Neill whose faith in "Vietnamization" has since proven as misplaced as his trust in the government that sent him to Vietnam.

I don't know about you, but I am ready for "thoughtful" aristrocrat instead of an affiable frat boy!

[Sanity]

48. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

n/t

[stevedeshazer]

51. Geez.

Fifty-plus posts into this thread, and every single one of you has taken the bait.

Unbelievable.

Phineas T. Barnum was right. Send in the clowns.

Can someone think this one through and get back to me? I've got to go away for awhile to cool down my bullshit detector.

Can't wait until April Fool's Day.

[SarahB]

53. And this is what they have to throw at him?

Good grief! Kind of makes me feel a bit of encouragement.