What are the big issues we can hammer Bush with?

[chimpy the poopthrower]

I say it's Iraq, the deficit, the economy (jobs), and maybe the Patriot Act. Now who are the candidates who can hammer Bush on these issues? I don't see how Kerry or Edwards can attack Bush on Iraq when they voted for it...

What do all of you see as the big issues most voters are going to care about? Which candidates are best to bring up which of those issues?

[poskonig]

1. Kerry supports disarmament.

In other words, he isn't responsible for Bush's lack of discretion. Many moderates feel misled about the war, and Kerry's message appeals to them, as seen by the latest poll numbers.

[corporatewhore]

2. Kucinich

[EXE619K]

3. "God told me to liberate Iraq!"

Also, Pat Robertson's lovely prediction and the subsequent recommendation of that guy in the pearly gates.

The media loves to claim that Dean is a Cukoo.....

Cuckoo-licious!

[chimpy the poopthrower]

4. So you think the religious insanity aspect of the RW will be a big factor?

Hmmm. Maybe, but I'm not sure I agree. What should be important isn't always what is important to voters. That's why I'm iffy about whether the Patriot Act will be an issue. I think a lot of voters won't care until something happens to them. Job loss might be the biggest issue of all -- even more than Iraq, but I could be wrong.

[EXE619K]

5. laugh a little...will ya?

n/t

[chimpy the poopthrower]

8. Oh... OK.

:D

[blondeatlast]

6. What ISN'T?

But we have to concentrate on domestic issues and the lies about Iraq.

[Monte Carlo]

7. The environment is a SURE winner, for one.

There just isn't enough whitewash to cover Bush's (lack of an) environmental record. You name it, he's burned it, buried it, or sold it off.

[corporatewhore]

9. there are alot of people who dont like free trade

liberals progressives greens libertarians old school conservatives peoples whose job has gone overseas....

[isbister]

10. Medicare Drug Bill, Healthcare

Overtime, Environment, honesty, secrecy, cronyism, any one of the things this administration is currently being investigated for... its probably easier to do it this way... what has bush touched since he's been in office.

The biggest issue today may not be the biggest tomorrow. The economy.

Now who are the candidates who can hammer Bush on these issues?

One candidate, Kerry

I don't see how Kerry or Edwards can attack Bush on Iraq when they voted for it...

Kerry and Edwards held much different positions. If Kerry sticks to the same thing he's been saying since day one, he'll be in great shape to challenge bush.

Edwards can too because of the way bush went in and because of the stupid "hugs and flowers" plan bush had once they won.

[chimpy the poopthrower]

12. So if Kerry is the nominee...

...do you honestly think we'll be able to run ads about the 500+ soldiers killed in Iraq because of Bush without looking like hypocrites? Remember we're going to have to get our message across to a public with a very short attention span and far less knowledge than you find at DU. Nuance will mostly by lost. What message about Iraq can we put forth that will fit in a 45 second spot and not implicate Kerry or Edwards?

[isbister]

13. Of course

but I don't think either one will get into it. I think they're going to talk about our troops being there with a target on their back and bush's poor handling of the situation. I'm pretty sure they can dig up some of those "hugs and flowers" quotes/tapes.

Somewhere out there is a clip of Cheney after Gulf I explaining in great detail what would happen if we overthrew Saddam (60 minutes, I think). At that time he was making excuses for pappy bush's leaving the Kurds and Shiites to be slaughtered by Saddam. It is not something the bush admin would want shown repeatedly (I think it'd make a great Kerry commercial) whether Cheney gets dumped or not. I'd be willing to bet that there are some Powell statements, too.

These bush people have a lot of loose statements that can easily be strung together to make a wonderful commercial or two.

[jean]

11. #1=No jobs. Then, lying and bait&switch on every issue in our lives

[ChiefJoseph]

14. Two words: Homeland Security.

And how Bush has let us down massively on this front. Run against the war and the Repugs will paint you as soft on terror. Run against the Patriot Act and the repugs will paint you as soft on terror. But if you systematically detail how the administration has left us vulnerable while shoveling tax cuts at the richest 1%, we win.

[Cary]

15. Funny. I posted almost the same thread at almost the same time.

My answer:

I think our Dems are wisely holding some stuff back, like the Joe Wilson scandal. Personally I think that's dynamite. Could it be much worse? Ratting out the name of one of our spies as retribution?

Of course the lying about WMD issue has resonated, but it's awful early. The economic issues have legs, but again we're still too far out.

What do you think?