come on now, are we men or Pussy cats?
all this whimpy, I'm scared talk doesn't like conservatives to me. It sounds like some liberal plants or RINOs (Republican In Name Only).. suck it up girls..
Posted on 10/07/2004 5:19:50 AM PDT by Timeout
I believe I've figured out Kerry's strategy, especially in the debates. Actually, it's Schrum's stategy...he tried it with Al Gore, but Gore couldn't carry it off. With Kerry, I think it's working. Kerry is a better actor.
THEIR STRATEGY: Take the "likeability" card out of contention. Create an atmosphere where Bush has to choose between hitting back hard or appearing weak if he doesn't respond to harsh lies about him and Cheney.
Kerry trails in the "likeability" category, so take away the president's trump card: his connection with ordinary Americans.
THEIR TACTICS: Show disdain and disrespect. Take away any atmosphere which would play to GWB's class, his folksiness, his ability to connect with ordinary people. Force him into the gutter with Kerry. (Think: punk rock culture where "dissing" garners respect).
In the very first answer, call Bush a liar (misleader). Lie about his record, misquote him. This happened in both debates so far. Call him a stubborn warmonger, "out of touch with reality". After totally insulting Bush/Cheney, Kerry AND Edwards then went on to answer the question in a way that demanded a response. This took viewers' attention off the insults at the beginning. And it forces Bush or Cheney to choose between dealing with the insults or answering the policy challenge.
This can be a win/win for Kerry:
1. If Bush & Cheney get angry but don't rise to the bait, their anger shows and it takes away the likeability factor.
2. If they do rise to the bait, they look angry, weak, and defensive. (Also accomplishes #1). __________________________________
I think this is a very real danger for Bush.
I'm no debate coach, so I don't know the best way to counter them. I'll put my suggestion in my first post. But surely out in the blogosphere there must be lots of debate coaches and strategists who can tell us how Bush and Cheney can escape this trap.
email it to the bush cheney campaign - in fact, we should all email it so they pay attention
Get back to work before your supervisor comes back from his 8:00 meeting. Overthinking is unproductive. Bush will win, quit all the hand ringing. Sounds like a little old lady "frettin" over nothing.
Atos
You make some good points.
Trouble is, IMO, that W just isn't good in these debates.
I believe Algore pretty much outdebated him, only thing is Algore was so obnoxious, it didn't matter.
I think W, aside from being well prepared with facts, data and talking points, needs to just be himself and be ready to talk about what he truly believes in.
I'm voting.
The number is a meaningless statistic. It is a reflection of the mercantilism of times past.
That's "Wilkes-Berry". How about "My opponent's only showed up at the Senate 35% of the time, what makes anybody think he'd show up for work at the Oval Office?
Me too. Where I live, there's "Help Wanted" signs on business windows. My wife & I are both working hard, making a good living. etc. No complaints here. And we're in California!!
I think Bush SHOULD win, I just want to be more certain. I'm not depressed, simply focused on a problem.
Kerry's tactics worked in the first debate. Bush-lovers like us thought he did fine. But the fence-sitters didn't see it that way. His goodness and likeability and strong leader qualities did not shine through...no matter how much you wish it to be otherwise. And then the media echo chamber made it out to be a disaster for GWB.
The only purpose of my thread was to get people's input on how Bush could put Kerry down while letting his good traits shine thru.
EVERY TIME Kerry tries to be funny he falls flat on his face.
If it weren't for 9-11 and the 8 years of structural weakening by the Clinton administration we might be able to withstand Kerry. But I'm afraid we are so far gone that he could be the one that brings the whole tower down.
OTOH, we've done some good at repairing the structure and with another 4 years we might be able to get the country in significantly better shape, though it will take years after that to really correct the imbalances caused by the left.
I don't think debates will win anything. Althought the polls show that Kerry "won", at the same time people polled said they trust Bush more on security issues.
Bush knows he could've done better, and he will for the next debate. He's giving some kick-butt speeches in the last couple of days - hopefully he'll rev up his debate tactics in the same manner.
I think that your analysis and your suggestion for Pres. Bush to respond to Sen. Kerry are terrific. I wish that there were some way to get this info to the President.
In my view, "suck it up" involves tackling one's problems head-on. And I think this is a problem that needs tackling. Being likeable while attacking is possible, but it requires preparation and planning. That's all I'm saying here.
"if you do not vote you are not allowed to gripe and whine about whomever is in office"
I use this line on my bro - he doesn't vote but tries to argue politics.
And please, Mr. President, stop referring to the terrorists as "folks". ;)
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