Are we setting ourselves up to fail by going positive first?

[bhunt70]

Don't get me wrong, I like the message, I like the strategy, I understand that flogging a dead horse gets old. I think JK has been running a beautiful campaign to tell you the truth.

BUT

Do you think this technique would have been better suited if our convention was 2nd? I'm not saying we should go negative, or even have changed our tactic to begin with. I'm just wondering if there is the potential for it to backfire by reigning in the horses and possibly letting the republicans run roughshod over us.

thoughts?

[jjmalonejr]

1. Most people have made up their minds about Bush...

...good, bad or indifferent. No amount of shrieking about lying, corruption, war crimes, etc. is going to make much difference. If they don't see it now, they never will.

On the flip side, people have not made up their minds about Kerry. But, their doubts about Bush (not their hatred of Bush) make them willing to listen to him and his vision.

The very fact that undecided voters are listening means that they are willing to consider voting AGAINST Bush. Kerry needs to give these people something to vote FOR.

The GOP definitely has an advantage having their convention second, but our going negative won't change that. If anything, it gives them more fodder to say that Democrats don't stand for anything, they are just about hate and cynicism. Let's not give them that.

[Solly Mack]

2. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst

either way, you won't be caught off guard. :)

[LynneSin]

3. I think being positive during the conventions was a great move

Believe me, there will be negativity from our side after the convention, but why play dirty during the convention - we're better than that!

[Melodybe]

5. I like the positive message, it feels good next to all of their hate

I think that we are making the right choice.

Plus I love getting to hear Sharpton and Kucinich laying it on the line.

[w4rma]

4. The Repugs pushed their convention so close to the general election date

that Bush is not legally allowed on many ballots in many states (but they got waivers, anyway).

There is no way our convention was going to be second.

[LuminousX]

6. The most optimistic soudning campaign wins

Go look at Bush's website and see all the pictures of Kerry and other Democrats on it and then go to Kerry's website.

[WVRevy]

7. No

No, it's a good strategy, simply because the left now has other organizations that can run those type of nagative campaigns for us (MoveOn, etc), rather than having the candidates dirty their own hands. Kerry and Edwards look like angels compared to the slime that keeps coming straight from the repug ticket.

It's gotten to be a joke...Regardless of which side is doing the ad, the first two words after the "I approved" message are "John Kerry".

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. I don't think so

an unrelenting barrage of negative attacks from Bush, and Kerry has responded with positive ads talking about his bio, record and plans -- and it's working! I'm sure they are ready to attack at a moment's notice if it is needed.

[On the Road]

9. Hell, No!

With Farenheit 911, The Daily Show, Howard Stern, Howard Dean and all the other sources of anti-Bush sentiment we're been blessed with, I'm not sure there's any need for Kerry to go negative at all. And unlike most other elections, I'm not even sure there's a need for John Edwards to be an attack dogs. All that's necessary is for other Democrats to get enough air time.