Posted on 03/04/2004 3:27:45 PM PST by RBurke
Chief Strategist Matthew Dowd will discuss the campaign's new television ads and answer questions
The Strategic Landscape Matthew Dowd
Chief Strategist Matthew Dowd will discuss the campaign's new television ads and answer your questions about the 2004 election strategy.
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Matthew Dowd Chief Strategist, Bush-Cheney '04 wrote: That's last question. It's been fun. Keep up the good work!
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Michael Sabo from yardville NJ wrote: Do you feel Gov. Schwarzenegger can swing California in President Bushes direction?
Matthew Dowd answered: I think having a popular Governor at the helm is very helpful. Ultimately, the election will be about the President.
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patrick greenwade from grand prairie TX wrote: Economic statistics as well as the President's popularity ratings are roughly where President Reagan was in 1984 during his re-election campaign. Can we do more to remind core supporters not to be misled by the misleading Democratic and media attacks?
Matthew Dowd answered: We are trying our best. However, the unique circumstances of this election and it's issues mean that historical comparisons are more difficult. We do think we are in strong shape for the campaign ahead.
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Julian Stolz from Emmaus PA wrote: Does President Bush believe he will carry California. This has come to be a big issue, even a good possibility lately. Is there anything in it?
Matthew Dowd answered: We think California is more available to us this time than last time. Governor Schwarzenegger is very popular and it is helpful to us. We will have to determine closer to the Republican Convention how much resources to devote there.
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Peter Summers from Dover MA wrote: How do you think that people like George Soros and his money will effect the campaign in general and in light of the recent Supreme Court upholding of the campaign finance reform act?
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, we are concerned about the amount of money these independent Democratic-leaning groups are going to devote to defeating the President. They've violated the spirit of the election law. And the FEC will have to determine if they violated the letter.
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Richard Higgins from Woolwich ME wrote: Will President Bush's positive ads look too passive in light of the recent Democratic barrage
Matthew Dowd answered: We believe these first round of ads provide a very compelling contrast with the sustained negative messages put out by the Democrats. We believe this is the right way to start the campaign. Unlike Senator Kerry whose first ad was a negative attack.
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Roger Jarrell from Lexington VA wrote: Do you believe that the campaign can begin to define John Kerry's record before John Kerry is able to gloss it over?
Matthew Dowd answered: The process of explaining and detailing Senator Kerry's record has already begun. And it will be a major part of the campaign's efforts in the weeks ahead.
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Tony Ayad from Arcadia CA wrote: I am concerned that President base supporters may not be as galvanized as in 2000. What is being done to ensure the base goes out and votes?
Matthew Dowd answered: The campaign understands an important part of our efforts is to encourage Republicans across the country to vote and to get their friends to vote. The President is extremely popular among all Republicans. We will not take anything for granted and a major part of our organization and communication will be aimed at motivating Republicans.
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patrick greenwade from grand prairie TX wrote: I believe the Prsident has a terrific record of accomplishment so far on the issues he ran on in 2000. Not withstanding the Homeland Security accomplishments, he has lowered taxes, enabled prescription drugs for seniors, and signed education reforms. Will you make sure that these are a central part of the campaign going forward?
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, the American public will hear about what the administration has accomplished. More importantly, they will hear about what we want to accomplish in a second term.
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Joshua Campbell from Camilla GA wrote: how does president bush plan to handle the personal attacks and smear campaign of the liberals and kerry?
Matthew Dowd answered: The President will continue to point out in a positive way the successes the country has had over the last three years. As well as communicate his vision for a second term. Ultimately, the public will respond more powerfully to a hopeful and optimistic message than a negative and backward-looking vision.
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Julian Stolz from Emmaus PA wrote: Will Dick Cheyney be the veep on the 04 ticket?
Matthew Dowd answered: The President has already said that he wants the Vice President to continue on the ticket. Case closed.
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Kristen Bettencourt from New Orleans LA wrote: Are there any specific strategies being unleashed so we can win Ohio and Pennsylvania. Two needed wins. Do you agree?
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, we very much would like to win Pennsylvania and Ohio in November. We have already set up organizations in both states and advertising began in each of those states today.
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Carolyn Ratthy from Lauderhill FL wrote: I am most impressed by these first few commercials that will be airing. In particular, the first commercial which depicts our President and the First Lady, is especially endearing. Could you please tell me, though, whether future commercials will focus more attention on the matter of John Kerry and the indiscrepencies of his allegations against our President?
Matthew Dowd answered: In the coming weeks and months, the contrasting visions of the President and John Kerry and his record will be highlighted. Stay tuned!
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Carolyn MacQuarrie from Jeffersonton VA wrote: What do you make of the fact that the Democrats are complaining about the President even mentioning September 11 in his new ads?
Matthew Dowd answered: The Democrats from the beginning have run a very negative and personal attack on the President and his leadership. I am not surprised they are continuing this. Concerning 9-11, we thought important to highlight an important moment that impacted our country in many ways including the economy and our safety. America's continued response to this tragedy will be an important part of the debate ahead.
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Todd Justman from Charlotte NC wrote: Our President behaved nobly in response to the 9.11 attacks. Will the campaign attempt to lever the strong leadership in time of crisis in convincing the voters, despite the likely charge of trying to capitalize on a tragedy?
Matthew Dowd answered: We believe the President's response in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy on 9-11 is important to the public. And in ensuring global terrorism is fought here and around the world will be an important issue in this campaign. We look forward to this discussion.
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Josh Whitfield from Waterford CA wrote: How Confident is the President that he can win in November?
Matthew Dowd answered: Very confident, but he know it will be a hard-fought and close election.
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Peter Summers from Dover MA wrote: Whom do you think Senator Kerry will choose for a running mate? What are the pros and cons of a couple of his possible choices?
Matthew Dowd answered: I have no idea. I am sure he will make it a deliberative process. In the end, I think this election will be about the contrasting visions between President Bush and Senator Kerry, not who John Kerry's Vice Presidential nominee is.
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Lillian Julian from Upper St. Clair PA wrote: Laura Bush is a Crown Jewel and a wonderful speaker as well as a knowledgeable first lady. Will President Bush have Laura campaigning for him?
Matthew Dowd answered: Thank you and yes, she is a tremendous asset and has done great service for the country as First Lady. She will be actively campaigning in the months ahead. As you are probably aware she was in one of our first commercials.
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Michael and Angella Bundy from Jonesborough TN wrote: We are very worried with the momentum that Senator Kerry is carrying after today's 'Super Tuesday' elections. I am concerned that Senator Kerry's numbers get better and better and our numbers have not yet begun a trending positive. When will the numbers begin to look better and when will the economy become an asset in the main stream information flow and stop being the liability it seems to be?
Matthew Dowd answered: We expect the numbers to improve for us in the next 3 or 4 months. Keep in mind the campaign anticipated being behind or tied until the convention at the end of August. It takes some time before the American public completely focuses on the choice involved.
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Keith Curtis from Seattle WA wrote: Are you going to make more web ads? Your last one with excerpts from Meet the Press got passed all over the Internet...
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, more web videos are in the offing. The exact timing will be determined as the campaign unfolds. Stay tuned!
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Ryan Lauer from Bloomington IN wrote: Dear Sir, Do you think that George Bush is at all vulnerable on foreign policy if matched against J Kerry in November
Matthew Dowd answered: No, we don't believe President Bush is vulnerable to John Kerry on foreign policy. The latest polls show that President Bush has a big advantage on this issue. His leadership in the war on terror is something the American public has tremendous confidence in.
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Marsha Lynch from Kingsport TN wrote: I have heard so many conflicting poll numbers--what polling numbers do you consider to be accurate and how do you respond to the statement that in many different polls, John Kerry would beat President Bush?
Matthew Dowd answered: We always anticipated after the Democratic nominating process was fairly complete, we would be behind. The polls out in the last few weeks are no surprise. We primarily depend on our own poll numbers to tell where things stand. Gallup is a public poll that is usually reliable.
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Brad Doty from kansas city MO wrote: My family is one of the many who benefited from the tax cuts that President Bush signed into law. Can President Bush give us any hope that these will not be allowed to expire?
Matthew Dowd answered: President Bush has already committed to ensuring the tax cuts are made permanent. This was a central element of his State of the Union address. This is one reason why thie election is so important.
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Scot Silverstein MD from Lansdale PA wrote: Do you intend to use the Internet as a force-multiplier? For example, publish flyers with URL's to summaries of Kerry's Senate voting records, 1970's anti-US Military diatribes, etc.?
Matthew Dowd answered: As you know, the Bush campaign is utilizing the Internet as an important element in how we communicate with voters around the country and recruit volunteers. Thanks for your other suggestions.
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darlene bell from las vegas NV wrote: Is President Bush planing to make Kerry's voting record an issue?
Matthew Dowd answered: Senator Kerry's voting record is an indication of how he will perform as President and what his vision for the country is. We think that is an important part of the political discourse in the coming months.
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Eric Friel from St. Charles MO wrote: Is they war on terrorism going to tie into this campaighn at all?
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, it will be one of the two most important issues along with the economy. Highlighting the President's leadership in the war on terrorism will be a major feature of our campaign.
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Devon Bowers from Ithaca NY wrote: I live in an extremely liberal college town that includes Cornell University and Ithaca College. What will our tactics be for attracting youth to the Bush team? Will TV ads be on MTV, Comedy Central and other popular young adult channels? With shows like The Daily Show, which bashes Bush every episode, we need ads that reinforce this is just comedy and that show what reality is like. Perhaps some ads that talk about how being a rebel is fun until its time to pay taxes and buy a home? Thanks, Devon
Matthew Dowd answered: Devon, the campaign will be pursuing the youth vote in a very concerted way. The President right now leads among youth voters against Senator Kerry. We will continue to communicate through our organization as well as other means to younger voters. Some of the cable channels you mentioned do not allow political advertising, but we are exploring as many option as are available.
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Denver McPherson from Tampa FL wrote: Clearly Florida will be a target state (even more critical) than the 2000 election. I believe that clearly and decidedly winning Florida is critical. Is this your position and what is the campaign strategy to ensure this? As well, how can I help further to ensure this in Tampa?
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, we think Florida will be a key state in this year's election as it was in 2000. Hopefully, it won't be near as close. We are already setting up an organization in Florida and our advertising there began today. On helping, please make sure you sign up as well as recruit friends to sign up as Bush Volunteers by going to our website, www.GeorgeWBush.com.
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Kimber Bateman from Horn Lake MS wrote: If President Bush is re-elected in this next campaign, what will be his main focus for his next 4 years as president?
Matthew Dowd answered: The President has already said that the two main challenges of the economy and terrorism will be a centerpiece of any future decisions. If elected a second term, he will continue to confront these important challenges.
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Christopher Gillett from Westford MA wrote: Matthew, I live in Massachusetts - the home state of Senator John Kerry who is the presumptive nominee for the Democrats. Aside from donating to the campaign, what can a volunteer do to help the cause in this heavily Democrat-leaning state?
Matthew Dowd answered: First, if you haven't already, please go to our website, www.GeorgeWBush.com, and sign up to be a Bush Volunteer. Secondly, a big part of this election will be for average folks to talk to their friends and neigbors about the President's leadership and his vision for the country. I am sure you have folks that you know around the country to communicate with and this would be very helpful in getting our message out.
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Steve Peak from Mandeville LA wrote: Will W04 utilize some of the same themes of adds he did in the 2000 election? and further what do you believe are going to be your target states?
Matthew Dowd answered: An overriding theme which will be similar to 2000 is the President's strong and decisive leadership. We will highlight this by showing his principled decisions in dealing with a challenging economy and the global threat of terrorism.
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Cynthia Andrews from Yorba Linda CA wrote: Will there be centers in each county where we can volunteer our time to do things such as stuff envelopes or make phone calls? I am not in a position to give financially but I can give time. That is as good as money when we all need to work together!
Matthew Dowd answered: Yes, in most states there will be state organizations as well as county organizations. My suggestion is to go to our website, www.GeorgeWBush.com, and sign up to be a Bush Volunteer. Thanks for offering the help.
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Josh Puterbaugh from Cleveland OH wrote: Mr. Dowd, what does the President plan to do to gain the support of those in the Rust Belt states?
Matthew Dowd answered: We believe the two big issues of this election will be on the economy and the war on terrorism and our plan is to communicate the President's vision on both those issues. We plan to highlight how the country has moved forward in growing the economy and fighting the battle in the war on terrorism. Obviously there will be a contrast with Kerry's vision on these two issues.
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Matthew Dowd Chief Strategist, Bush-Cheney '04 wrote: Good afternoon. Thanks for logging on. Let's get started!
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