The only strategy of the Kerry camp is to attack President Bush, which is not always a good idea, especially not the way they have been doing it, and especially if your candidate has nothing to offer but "nuance". It's good for the base who agree with him, but definitely is not the way to get to the undecideds, if there still are any.
Also, President Bush has been successful because he has been so underestimated.
Underestimated, exactly. The debates, I think, will help the electorate sweep away the garish portrayals of Bush by the liberal extremists.