Bush 'Flip-Flop' Ads Will Damage Kerry

FoxNews ^ | March 9, 2004 | Dick Morris

[FairOpinion]

It is increasingly clear that President Bush's line of attack against John Kerry will be to describe him as a flip-flopping politician, changing his positions constantly to suit the political needs of the moment. One negative ad, previewed on "Meet the Press," showed an animation of two John Kerry boxers battling one another. The winner? George W. Bush.

[FairOpinion]

Bush needs to be on offensive against Kerry, and keep it up.

The ad Morris is referring to is this one:

Kerry vs. Kerry

[ex-Texan]

*BUMP*!

[NormsRevenge]

BumPing *.*

[debg]

Hear the Kerry backup singers

[FairOpinion]

If you don't want to watch the 30 rounds of the Kerry vs. Kerry boxing match, GOP summarized it, so you can read it. Each round is an issue. I am glad they did this, this way you can scan the issues and Kerry's flip-flop positions.

Here is that page:

http://www.gop.com/kerryvskerry/backup.asp#1

[FairOpinion]

"They call him Flipper"...

John Flipper Kerry

LOL


Too bad it's an insult to Flipper, the dolphin, to use his name for Kerry.

[xzins]

I am reminded of the debate in which old Admiral Stockdale, the VP selectee of Ross Perot, said something like, "I'm all out of ammunition on that one."

The danger in this campaign with the election still 8 months off is to fire all the rounds one has so early that the opposition has countered that weapon and your candidate has run out of "ammunition."

We know in this "spin" world that virtually any argument can be countered with talking points "spinning" a different take on the issue.

President Bush should save SOME of his best rounds for the last month of the campaign when there is little time for Kerry to respond.

Therefore, I disagree with Dick Morris regarding going negative in this respect: early ammunition should be used to harass and interdict. If there are pro-Bush ads creating a patriotic sentiment about the man, then I see nothing wrong with that. Positive ammunition is also useful.

One must be sure that there is PLENTY of money for the last month of the campaign....and EFFECTIVE AMMUNITION to fire!

[TomGuy]

If the Republicans do too much damage too early on Kerry, the Dems will find a way to withdraw him and replace him with someone else; thus, the Republicans will have wasted alot of time and money.

It is 6 months until the conventions, 8 months until the election. Many, many things can happen to both sides in that amount of time.

8 months of bickering and bashing will turn off many potential voters.

[debg]

Nah, Flipper is a republican and glad to add to the mix.

[Pharmer]

I heard Morris on Hannity this afternoon heavily critiscize the Bush effort so for. Was this new an opinion since 4:00 PM EST???

[Williams]

I have the parody that needs to be done to Kerry. Scene from "Rain Man." Dustin Hoffman (Kerry) is being questioned to determine what he wants to do, or if he is even capable of making a decision:

Reporter: John, I'm going to ask you a question

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter : John, do you support the war in Iraq.

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: You think the war was the right thing to do?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: You support the war?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: John, I'm going to ask you another question, OK?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: John, do you oppose the war in Iraq?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: You oppose the war?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: John, do you know the difference between supporting the war and opposing the war?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: Do you oppose the war?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: Do you support the war?

Kerry: Yeah.

Reporter: John, they're two different things.

Kerry: Want to support the war and oppose the war in Iraq.

Reporter: John, do you know the difference between supporting the war and opposing the war ...?

Kerry Running Mate (breaking in): OK OK, you made your point. You don't have to humiliate him! John, it's over, do you hear me john, it's over. No more questions.

Kerry: No more questions. No more questions.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the post and ping ! ;^)

We must remember that Bush's father trailed Mike Dukakis by 17 points in the months before the conventions. Until Bush Sr. ran negative ads, it seemed that the Massachusetts governor would be Reagan's successor. Kerry's bubble may prove to be just that fragile.

Kerry: America needs a 'regime change' too

[Mercat]

LOL... thanks. hehe. snort.

[MeekOneGOP]

[dalebert]

Good point. But Bush still needs to get his message out there.

[Arpege92]

LMAO They call him flipper.....

[David]

"If the Republicans do too much damage too early on Kerry, the Dems will find a way to withdraw him and replace him with someone else; thus, the Republicans will have wasted alot of time and money."

I believe that is exactly what will happen.

Although I think Bush ought to focus on the negative--the issues; point out where Kerry really stands; there is a fair change that if he does not, Mrs. Clinton will become concerned that Kerry is going to win and will do the job herself.

[Vigilanteman]

Dukakis = Kerry with charisma.

[Callahan]

I say go negative and define Kerrry as a waffler who's weak on defense and values. We save the interview with his college-age girlfriend for October.

[xzins]

The last month is the most critical. 2nd most critical timeframe is the week of and after the Democrat Convention. Any bomb that can be exploded at that time to take away media attention would be great.

I have no problem with defining Kerry as a waffler. I don't think that's the heavy stuff. That's just MLRS.

We save the nukes for the proper time.