A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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July 27, 2004The Big SpeechA new Washington Post poll concludes that Kerry is going backwards, not forwards, and voters don't know what policies he would pursue as president. A majority of voters say they know little about John F. Kerry's positions on key issues and want the Democratic presidential candidate to detail specific plans for handling the economy, Iraq and the war on terrorism when he addresses the Democratic National Convention and a nationally televised audience on Thursday, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. . . . David Brooks reports that even Democrats in Boston have widely different ideas about Kerry. Over the last few days I have spoken to Democrats who are firmly convinced he is a hawkish free-trading fiscal conservative who believes that life begins at conception, that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that the U.S. should bulk up its forces in Iraq. I've also spoken to other Democrats just as convinced the Kerry is really a protectionist, socially liberal dove who actually opposes the war and supports gay marriage and nationalized health care. It seems fair to conclude that Kerry's convention speech will be the most important speech given by any presidential candidate in recent history. Posted by Todd Pearson at July 27, 2004 09:18 AMComments
OTOH, maybe Kerry's attempt to be all things to all people is meeting with success. Posted by: bk at July 27, 2004 11:49 AMFunny how people claim they don't know what Kerry stands for but don't ask Bush the same question. All you had to do was watch Kerry in that Ohio neighborhood Sunday on CSPAN and you'd have learned all you needed to know. You don't need to wait for a speech to judge a candidate. Don't judge either Kerry or Bush by their words. Watch their actions. Kerry fights for people's rights and safety. Bush fights the 9/11 commission and when the report comes out he goes on vacation. Which man spent 7 precious minutes sitting in a classroom while America was being attacked? That would be George. Why are so many veterans upset with Bush? Because of his actions (and inactions). Which man knows more about protecting America? John Kerry. We know that from his actions, not his words.
Hey Mr. Schmitt- Aren't you supposed to say that John Kerry approved this message at the end of your post? The complaint about Kerry is becoming a drum-beat in our town. He has to say what he stands for other than anti-Bush. People may not like all of Bush's policies, but they don't want to trade them for Kerry's on-going flip-flops on issues. Kerry needs to state clearly what he stands for other than "I would do things different." Posted by: Lynne at July 27, 2004 01:04 PMRhetoric: Kerry flip-flops. Fact: all politicians tailor a message to an audience, vote different ways for different reasons and either resist simplistic explanations or refuse to get beyond said simplistic explanation. They can even change their minds. Kerry DOES need to make sure his policies are better known and understood (he actually has policies and positions). The flip-flop rhetoric is 90% an effort to build a wall higher than Kerry can climb over, not an effort to make him more forthcoming. Posted by: Erasmus at July 27, 2004 02:29 PMKerry DOES need to make sure his policies are better known and understood (he actually has policies and positions). Yeah, shame he's spent so much effort on keeping those positions and policies as close to meaningless as possible. When you work so hard to avoid alienating anyone, you end up with nobody caring one way or another. Reminds me of Firesign Theater. "How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All?" Most of the solid criticism I hear of Kerry isn't that he's a flip-flopper. It's that he doesn't seem to be anything at all. After tens of millions spent to get out his message, his message remains "I'm not Bush." Which we already knew. The 527 money from MoveOn.org and others doesn't help in that regard, it's still "I'm not Bush." Where that isn't Kerry's message, the message seems to be "I'd do what Bush does, only I'd do it better and smarter." We already have a Bush, and the people who like what Bush does don't think he's clumsy at it. Those who hate Bush don't want a new & improved model. Kerry needs to come out of the convention with a clear and compelling message, and a clear vision that he can effectively communicate to America. Even with that it'll be an uphill battle for him. But if he fails to do these things, he's not going to be anywhere at all. Posted by: Tully at July 27, 2004 04:43 PMJohn, I'm guessing nobody asks Bush that question because nobody feels the need to. Posted by: Dick Eagleson at July 28, 2004 10:27 AM |
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