What does Kerry do starting tomorrow?

[ramapo]

No more contest. The remaining primaries will take place with little or no attention.

The right-wing media will start tearing Kerry apart. Bush will start running ads.

Kerry won't be giving any more victory speeches (at least until November).

The hard work starts tomorrow. Kerry got a lot of free publicity from the primary campaign.

How does he spend the time between now and the convention?

[rocktivity]

1. Picking a running mate, for one

If not Edwards, someone at least as youthful and Southern.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Mick Knox]

2. Running Mate.. then run his ass to the center.. QUICK!

I'm waiting there with open arms..

Gooooooooo Kerrrry

Great Night!

[incapsulated]

3. Go to Disney World!

:)

 
 

[tedoll78]

4. Okay.. I've been waiting for this.

Contact the other contenders, and Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton. For the next month, they will participate in a team effort consisting of several duties:

1) Fund raising (GOAL = $100 million)
2) Surrogate advocacy for Kerry's pet issues; who speaks and goes where will largely be dependent on what issue and what location in terms of popularity

For Kerry, his job is to camp-out in a number of electorally key states:
Oregon
New Mexico
Nevada
Arizona
Minnesota
Iowa
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Florida

In these states, he should do a "listening tour" in which he gets to see normal Americans and the struggles of everyday life. What the typical day is, what the supermarket is like (gallon of milk, anyone?), fighting the line at the bank during the lunch hour, paying tuition for two students in college, calculating an "average" monthly budget. The listening tour should last about 1 month. (And of course, add whatever other Gore states you think he's vulnerable in.)

During this time, he also has to make the "soft media" rounds. David Letterman. Oprah. A walk-on-and-off cameo on SNL. Conan O'Brien. The Daily Show. The same goes for Teresa - have her in magazines, TV shows, etc.. showing her sense of humor, her warmth, her intelligence, her compassion.. let the nation grow attached to her!

Also, his "war room" has to be at the ready from now on, with a 24-hour rapid-response team ready to contact the major media outlets almost immediately. I recall that the Dean campaign was really talented at taunting/critiquing Bush with its press release wordings sometimes; perhaps some of their people could join-in?

Next, an attention-grabbing gimmick is needed. Maybe another TV commercial writing contest - but this time positive?

For the month before he picks a running mate, Kerry needs to tease the media with this choice. This is one advantage that Kerry gets over Bush - he gets to keep the nation guessing over whom he'll pick. Kerry should tease the media this way - very public appearances with the possible running mates. Have John Edwards give an introduction speech in Florida for Kerry, and when Kerry enters the stage, have he and Edwards join hands and raise them above their heads - together. The media will see this and have a speculative field day, keeping Kerry's name in the positive "news coverage." Repeat with other VP possibilities.. Evan Bayh, Bob Graham, Bill Richardson, Howard Dean, Dick Gephardt.. you get the idea.

Those are the first things that come to mind..

edit: grammar

[aldian159]

5. great

mind if i spread this around (with attribution, of course)

[tedoll78]

6. Go for it!

It's in no way complete; the wheels are always turning..

[PurityOfEssence]

7. Raise massive amounts of money day and night

and go back to his day job and stir up as much of a fuss there as possible. Time to seize the initiative.