I'm going to say something controversial now...

I like the John Kerry ads I've been seeing. The news lately has been so terrible, so downbeat, and then these ads come on, and they are so positive, and inspiring. I believe that these ads will help people, who are so inclined, think that Kerry is a breath of fresh air, and a welcome change from the negative mess we have in the White House now.

Has anyone else seen these ads? What did you think?

Let bush, and his neocons be negative. As long as we stay on message, and make sure the lies that are perpetuated in many of the bush ads are answered, we will be O.K.

they are very positive.

I've seen two positive ads which essentially introduce him to the public. They're really the same ad, however, since there are only minor deviations. I agree with you on those; they're very good.

It's sad to see a skip like Bush to sponsor negative ads against a guy who went to war for his country and risked his life. It shows the right's lack of respect for those who actually fought for their country versus the chickenhawks in control of the country now. How shameful.

They're, without a doubt, very effective.

When things suck, the American public wants to hear that it's morning in America again.

Kerry is smart...this positive message will play well. I haven't seen the ads, but I have no doubt that he is modeling his message on the template of Reagan, which is a pretty smart thing to do.

Let me say that I love Jimmy Carter, BUT there are similarities in his presidency and the Bush presidency. Inflation, gas prices spiraling through the roof, diplomatic troubles in the Middle East...

And then a new candidate comes on the scene to promise he can deliver Americans from the crises, to tell them they can again feel good about being Americans if they vote for him.

Reagan did it, and it looks like Kerry is doing it now. It's smart strategy. Populist message at its best.

Hate Reagan if you want, but realize that his campaign message was the one people wanted to hear in 1980.

I noticed in the news yesterday that congressional democrats will be adopting the "are you better off now than you were four years ago" line and expressing it at every moment possible.

This sort of positive campaigning worked very well for Reagan and Clinton when the incumbent was seen as "in trouble". People complain that he's not being confrontative but he doesn't need to be, plus it's a disadvantage since he won't be contrasting himself with Bush*'s negative campaign. He'll be seen as alternative to the trouble we're having.

so positive and a lot of warmth.

Read Michael Kazin's The Populist Persuasion. He discusses the right stealing the populist lexicon/voice from the true populists--he traces the history of the populist lexicon back to the 19th century and brings it forward to Clinton. He says that the reason Reagan and Clinton won was because they mastered populist persuasive speech over their opponents.

Honestly, if you read ANY book in this election cycle, please read this one!

about turning the white house into corporate headquarters

Some have crticized his focus on linguistic analysis, but I find that to be the key. Too many people remainly blissfully ignorant of the power of rhetoric and linguistics.

His Barons of Labor is good also.

A positive moment in a world that looks more each day like the "party scene at the Delta Delta Delta House"

and THESE were the "grown-ups" ??

:argh:

They are inspiring, the music is stirring which causes one to stop and listen. The testimonials from his wife, daughter, and crew mates are quite effective. I congratulate whoever produced them. They are winners!

They are personable and kind of feel from the heart.

I think they smack the general wisdom that he is distant and boring.

He comes across as a nice smart man.

_

They just started running in CO and are getting a good response. TWICE as many BuSh ads, though...

Here in N.C. the Kerry ads are running quite often. I have only seen one positive Bush ad- the one about education and No Child Left Behind but that one backfired on Bush by coming out when there were several news stories about disgruntled educators and several states complaining about not getting the funding plus Kerry was talking about Bush failing to provide funds.

I want some red meat, but these are fine for starters.

A+ throughout, nothing bad about them

he laughs at Kerry's ads, not because they're humorous but because he knows Kerry is an a*hole.

Those are your choices, oops thats right I almost forgot about Nader. Well I guess you could add TAINT to that list. T'aint bush, T'aint asshole, its that spot inbetween!

I look forward to watching.