Memo to Kerry: Connect to Voters

By Jonathan Alter
Newsweek

May 31 issue - “Are we still the leader of the free world?" my 14-year-old daughter asked last week at the breakfast table. Without knowing it, she had stated one of John Kerry's campaign themes much more succinctly than Kerry himself has managed. If she were 16 (and had a car, which she won't), she would no doubt be sounding another theme—$2-a-gallon gasoline brought to you by the oiliest administration ever. But low global standing and high gas prices are not enough to beat an incumbent, especially in a rebounding economy. And especially when the challenger still hasn't mastered the basic cut-and-thrust of presidential politics.

Last week, for instance, it was disclosed that the Bush White House was once again touting health and education programs that the president has, in fact, cut. What do you do with people who brag of bringing heart defibrillators to communities across America when they've actually proposed slashing the defibrillator program by 82 percent? Apparently, nothing. If Kerry or his war room had a sharp rejoinder, it wasn't sharp enough to break through the clutter.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5040061/

I feel it's the Whore Media trying to bash Kerry. During Iowa and NH Primaries I feel CPSAN honest airing of the process showed everyone how honest, intelligent, moral, quick witted both Kerry and Edwards are. Blame all your crap on your Whore Torture Bastard Media CEOs Alter. They are truely the ones who should be tried and sent to prison.

...why is he ahead in most of the polls?

About the most I remember last week was the beating the NeoCons were getting in the press about a wide range of subjects. Maybe that's why you missed any responses Kerry may have had on any subject.

By the way, did you notice that the major networks did NOT carry the FratBoy Fuhrer' speech tonight?

Here in red, red Georgia.

for being a relative unknown. How much of that support is people who just don't like Bush, I have no idea. It is probably a good proportion considering not many people know Kerry yet. However, there is a lot of time left. We Dean supporters learned that even two weeks is a lot of time when it comes to support erosion.

Kerry needs to come out with a clear message that the base can get behind and at the same time, one that he can attract swing voters to. He needs to start defining himself, or Bush and the Pugs will do it for him.

there never would have been a war. aWol would be in the 30s approval rating for the last 2 years. Kerry would be up 70% today.

I wonder why I saw aWol's reading notes yesterday on 15 stations of Comcast?