Poll about Kerry campaign strategy

[Skinner]

Obviously, people here have strong opinions about how Kerry should be running his campaign. Many of the discussions on DU got me thinking. I'm curious what people think about this. I tried my best to frame the choices in a fair and non-biased maner. So, here's the question:

Which of the following comes closest to your opinion: What campaign strategy should Kerry be following?

[NMDemDist2]

1. The RW will smear him as much as they can, he should go after

any votes he can as long as he doesn't make promises that he has no intention of trying to keep

[AlecBGreen]

2. #1

but he shouldnt be pandering. I know that may sound contradictory but he can do it. When hes in WV (a strong military supoorting state) he should harp on Cheney for his hypocracy on the defense budget, Bush's AWOL, veterans benefits, the folly of going to war, etc. He should have a CLEAR message: They were wrong, I am right, and HERE IS WHY. He can win ANYWHERE with that message (well, maybe not TX and Utah ;) )

-Alec

p.s. COME TO VIRGINIA KERRY! YOU CAN WIN HERE

[Kukesa]

6. Perfect!

He shouldn't be pandering, but needs every vote he can get and needs to tailor his message to each individual audience. I like the "they're wrong; I'm right" approach.

When he was in Dayton he mentioned the history of Indians here and related that they had better health care than we currently do; they had a medicine man who went tent-to-tent. He then addressed jobs - which is of monumental importance in Ohio.

We need only EIGHT votes per precinct (more than in 2000) to win this battleground state, and I don't care where those votes come from, as long as we get 'em.

[DjTj]

3. There will always be more votes in the middle...

...and the more Bush goes freeper, the more moderates will look for an alternative. Kerry should capitalize.

[randr]

4. He should just be true to his beliefs

and tell it like it is.
It is not up to him to convince the repugs how badly they have been duped by the * gang. As sensible republicans wake up and realize the future of the country is in peril they will need to see Kerry as an honest defender of democracy.
He needs to stay above the mud-slinging that has become the Republican version of politics.
He needs to set a course for the future with concrete ideas about how to solve our biggest problems.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. Good question (kick)

[Auntie Bush]

7. There shouldn't be any question.

You have to win the election first...then do your best to make the changes you want...with the congress you have. If we don't win the election...we will have 4 more years of ((((BUSH)))). Kerry must be allowed to pander only as much as is necessary to win over the Independents and fence sitters! In short...Kerry has to win...what ever it takes.

[IndianaGreen]

8. Bush is self-destructing, however

stories such as the one about Kerry going after conservative votes, while ignoring the antiwar activists, seems like a bad idea in the long term. Kerry's support is from an ABB coalition from across the political spectrum. This is a coalition that will end once Bush is thrown out of office, leaving Kerry with no mandate of his own.

If Kerry doesn't get us out of Iraq ASAP, he will turn Iraq into a Democratic war, and doom his domestic legislative program.

[madfloridian]

9. I think a lot hesitate to speak on this, Skinner.

The word "idealist" has been attributed to some who are mixed in their feelings. Worse statements have been made when some express really true frustration. It is as though it is wrong to question now.

It is nice to ask the question,though.

I have one very strong feeling on this. I feel that when you tell someone they must vote a certain way, then the candidates have a huge responsiblity to address the issues with clarity.

The general atmosphere here says a candidate MUST go to the center to win. I am not advocating anything except about the war issue. It is an issue that is so morally and ethically charged, that a lot of people will stay home rather than vote if it is not addressed.

I said we would, I said it in anger. I don't know what we will do as life-long Democrats. I am ok with the candidates. I am not ok with the platform refusing to say it is wrong. I have heard Kerry address this in various ways at various times. There is a very easy answer, and now no one is using it (not even Dean unfortunately)....the answer is that the war was immoral and wrong.

I have noticed that our DFA mailing list here, still quite sizable, in changing in tone from very supportive to more questioning. It is mainly because of the Iraq issue. It is bankrupting us, it is hurting those of us who are retired,and it is going to hurt us much worse. I can not be *ok* with this. I want to be able to continue to question this issue, or any others.

I have a feeling that soon much of the ability to question here will be cut off. Perhaps not by you, but by posters who despise all Dean supporters because of a few. Or by those who make fun of Kucinich and Nader, which I think is just wrong.

Long answer to a short question, but I really think it is vital.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. Both.

Kerry should go after votes wherever he thinks he has a chance to get them. We need all the votes we can get.

AND

Kerry should not pander to anyone. If he compromises his principles, he will lose more votes than he gains.





These choices do not seem mutually exclusive to me...

[jpgray]

11. Campaigning, no. 1--governing, no. 2

We're not going to get elected this time to only slow the encroachment of this nonsense--now is the time to govern to the left and really give the country a chance to vote for that kind of governance. They absolutely will not vote in numbers for a leftist campaign based on recent examples, but they may be convinced once things turn around. And if Kerry governs to the left, they will.

[mzmolly]

12. Kerry is embarking on an extensive "job interview" with the American

public.

He has to "sell himself" as he would to any employer by highlighting his perceived strengths.

Anyone who doesn't think that their primary candidate would be trying to appeal to as many Americans as he/she could have (at this point in the election) is not politically aware.

Also, Nader is openly trying to appeal to those on "the right" as well, no one seems to be bitching about that? Go figger. ;)