A random thought about Kerry and 'boring.'

[WilliamPitt]

As Kerry is now the presumptive nominee, barring some insane swerve of fortune, I have been kicking around some of the charges leveled against him regarding his personality. Specifically, the idea that he is 'boring.'

He is certainly less energetic than Howard Dean or John Edwards. Dennis Kucinich blows him away on the passionate-stump-speech scale. In person Kerry is personable, funny, a normal person. But yes, on the stump, he has that staid, New England stentorian thing going on...you know, the thing where he speaks in a booming monotone, upping the tone a small octave on the last word.

I suppose one could call that 'boring.' Hell, I'll concede it. Kerry is boring.

I'm wondering if the American people might be looking forward to boring, solid, staid. They've had eight years of bedlam under Clinton, a berzerk election in 2000, several massive buildings blown to smithereens with airplanes (or missiles, or reverse vampires, or whatever :tinfoilhat: ), a war in Afghanistan, a continuing war in Iraq that has cost us a lot of soldiers, a wretched economy, etc. etc. etc...

...and at the helm, the smiling Kooky Klass Klown "Yee-haw!"-ing his way through history, backed by a snarling pack of my-way-or-the-highway brigands who brook no interference and rule by fear.

It's been awfully exciting around here. I'm wondering if 'boring' might be on the menu. We've had our run with the Kooky Klass Klown, and a lot of furniture has gotten broken. I'm wondering if the staid, solid, monotone of a college professor with chalk dust on his elbows might be what a bruised American psyche will be craving.

Just a passing thought.

[rucky]

1. He should just keep doing what he's doing

cuz whatever it is, it's working.

candidates who "reinvent" themselves are silly.

[rucky]

6. funny you should bring that up, rucky. I have a theory on it:

The Dean Theory: Candidates who live by the soundbyte, die by the soundbyte.

Those 10-second zinger clips are way-too-easily twisted & taken out of context. It's really hard to get a soundbite out of Kerry. I don't think this is entirely accidental on Kerry's part.

[salin]

2. Can't help but wonder if 3 years of unable to say a full sentence,

unable to say more than 6 words without pausing, frequently making no sense and saying things like: its true because I know its true and thats a fact... if suddenly sentorian, thoughtful, and even policy-wonkish... isn't suddenly an asset. Bush may just do more to killing off "anti-intellectualism" in this country than any other single factor.

[ewagner]

3. Send him your resume Will

He needs a good, (no, make that GREAT ) speech writer.

The speeches have to be shorter. More to the point of the moment rather than a discourse on where he stands on every issue every time.

I don't see the problem in being staid, I think the problem is in making the message sharper. You could be a big help.

[WilliamPitt]

4. He's got all the help he needs

Hell, PeteNYC is on his crew. Beat that with a stick. :)

Thanks, though.

[gasperc]

29. You gave him hell about IWR in your interview

that seemed to perk him and his campaign right up, I think he got "it", why Dean was getting so much traction even though Dean's team was beset by chronic infighting. Dean gave Dem's their mojo back and Kerry got a good kick in the ass from you and many others.

[redqueen]

5. What an excellent and uplifting perspective!

Thanks, Will!

That just brightened up my day considerably. :)

[Marlie]

12. Good thinking Will

I think the country is ready for a change. I think they may have
had their fill of the down home country boy you would love to sit in
a bar and drink with all night as President of the most powerful
country in the World. I think Kerry is perfect and as noted, hope
he stays just the way he is. He's brilliant, Bush is not -
hopefully the voters won't be duped again.

Personally Bush is the last person in the world I would love to
sit around with - Jeesh, the thought is truly frightening.

[madrchsod]

7. bush is far more boring

than kerry.bush has a hard time trying to speak which is painfully clear when he tries to make a speech.i doubt he ever passed a speech course in his life. i could care less about if someone is boring when they have something important to say.

[Bryan]

58. Good point; Bush really is more boring

It's interesting to size up the two men on the basis of personality rather than amiability on the stump, because we get almost exactly the opposite picture. John Kerry (Sportsman! Cocksman! War hero! Amateur guitarist!) is a damn sight more exciting than Junior, whose main interests are drinking, baseball, humiliation, and carnage. If Kerry's people could find a way to communicate that personality on a broad level, it wouldn't even be a contest.

[DinahMoeHum]

Bush says: Kerry flip-flops. Kerry should say of Bush. . .

Bush bait-and-switches.


:kick:

[dennis4868]

8. If....

someone is going to work hard in helping me get a job and provide for my family I could care less how boring of a speaker he is....

[Monte Carlo]

9. He's not boring, he's calm, controlled, thoughtful, stable...

... and all of that. Just use your imagination, and maybe a thesaurus.

Seriously though, Kerry can be boring and long-winded. However, I think you'll agree that he's come a LONG ways towards improvement in the past couple of months. I think with the right motivation and the right people, he could do even better. He'll never have Clinton or Edwards' smooth style, but he can still make W look like a stiff.

[SaveElmer]

10. Boiled down

I think what many people are thinking is "Bring in the adults"

[lancdem]

16. Bingo

[BootinUp]

11. Its a possibility

I was thinking the same thing last night. What you have is 3 groups of approx 30%. The 30% on the left is pretty well represented here at DU, they wanted something a little more fiery. The 30% in the middle may have just that thing in mind that you mention, Will.

[onehandle]

13. The two times I've seen him in person...

...in the last two weeks here in Georgia, he's been anything but boring. He got the crowd going, big time. Big booming Presidential voice. Very animated.

Of course, I'm pretty sure he's never almost choked to death on a pretzel.

[lancdem]

14. I agree, Will

I've been thinking that for some time. People are ready for a serious, reliable, COMPETENT president. One of Bush's problems is, more than three years into his presidency, about half the American people still think he's not up to the job. He hasn't gained in stature at all. Kerry looks and acts like a president, not a cowboy or a fratboy. I believe this is one election where charisma won't matter a hill of beans.

[never cry wolf]

15. FDR

When Kerry speaks e reminds me of FDR. Actually, I don't think it will play totally. I was considering starting a thread titled "Paging Chris Heinz" so that I could clue him in as to my thoughts.

It's good to know he's a personable, funny person and I sincerely believe that he needs to show some of that, or alot of that. Not the class clown but he needs to show he is not a rich New England elitist, a class snob, per se. Tell a joke once in a while, wear a pair of denims. You can show wit and personality without acting like a fool.

I do think that a large section of the populace votes basically on looks and personality because they don't take the time to know the issues. They get their 20 second sound bites but don't even listen to the message, all they remember the next day is gawd, was that guy boring, glad I don't have to have a beer with him.

I think this is important, sad to say. But this is a country that is obsessed with the superficiality they are bombarded with on the tee-vee. I have already had one friend say she could not vote for someone with such a long face. I am working on her, reminding her she has two children of draft age but first impressions are the most lasting.

Loosen up a bit John. You can still be serious at the proper times but PLEASE, right now you come off to a large segment of the uneducated as pompous, elitist and maybe even condescending. I think that is how bunnypants got enough support to be close enough for the theft of 2000. People thought Gore was a stiff and georgie a fun guy.

My 2 cents.

First edit: typo
Second edit: I DO agree with you Will, I enjoy the demeanor and having an "adult" in office would be a nice change. I am merely expressing some concerns as to how this demeanor will play ouy when he is not preaching to the choir. THE single most important thing, maybe on earth, is to get him elected.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

17. Kerry's ideas aren't boring.

Kerry doesn't just talk about alternative energy, his plan includes a component to actually FUND the the development of new energy policies.

Kerry doesn't just talk about increasing access to the health care, his plan actually includes an component that will lower health care premiums for everybody, making coverage possible for many who couldn't get it otherwise.

Kerry doesn't just rail against the loss of jobs, he actually has a plan to revive manufacturing that actually spells out some of the specific steps we need to do.


OK, maybe I'm a policy wonk, and these ideas are boring to many. lol. But that's my take.

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/energy/
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/healthcare/
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2003_1021.html

[woofless]

18. If that is boring

I will gladly be bored to tears for the next 8 years, starting Jan. 2005.

Woof

[lovedems]

19. I think he is only boring right now. I think that will change.

I have seen the (not so bright) pundits speaking of Kerry and they all agree he is boring but point out he is boring when he is in the "front runner" status. They have pointed out that Kerry does his best and shows his edge when he is behind the polls. That would explain his last re-election campaign for senator and his sudden surge in Iowa.

The bu$h administration will be in no win situation (hopefully) because they can either stay behind in the polls, which they are not comfortable with and let Kerry keep his "winner" status which makes him boring or, they can stay ahead in the polls and give Kerry that incentive to fight the good fight that he does so well.

I hope that made sense.

[molly]

20. The game of bridge or chess might seem boring to children

[CWebster]

21. That is the most desperate rationale for boring

I ever heard.

As if boring was the extent of the problem. Try a boring, pompous pontificating, nasty, elitist, waffling snob. For starters. And here, let me add this to make it all smoothed over:

:-)


:eyes:

[WilliamPitt]

24. You're not having a good day, are you.

[CWebster]

28. Projecting again?

So much for that little break.

[VelmaD]

25. Did Kerry run over your dog or something?

Sheesh.

[boxster]

26. Well, you don't have to vote for him...

and you can enjoy four more years of Mr. Excitement.

[Jim Sagle]

63. Drink some coffee or something, then you won't be so bored.

[littlejoe]

22. I believe that the more people get a chance to really see

John Kerry, the more they will like him.

His manner is thoughtful and measured. It reminds me of a wise old uncle that I had. Some may call it boring. I call it comfortable.

I predict that there will be a sea change in this country, come election time. Barring, of course some horrible history changing event in the meantime.

[phillybri]

23. Good point, Will...America probably wouldn't mind a "father figure"...

Could be comforting...

[VelmaD]

27. *argh*

Now I've got that awful George Michael song stuck in my head. Thanks phillybri. :spank:

;)

[ochazuke]

30. Kerry needs an extreme makeover

His speeches I've heard the past couple of days just go on! and on!, using words like "disenfranchised" that the average American doesn't understand.

If Kerry doesn't GET IT quick, his image will be set in stone.

Then, only a 7% unemployment rate will win the election.

[hlthe2b]

31. I'm hoping that we are seeing a decrease or even demise to the

"anti-intellectual" climate in this country.

I think many, including some here equate "elitist," "boring," "intellectual," "sanctimonious,"
"unapproachable," "unemotional," "non-spontaneous or even robotic,"
"deceitful and untrustworthy," "manipulative," "liberal" and other labels as synonyms.

I am especially disturbed to see the media continually trying to equate "intellectual = elitist. I do see some here echoing it, attacking posters for their own expertise they bring to certain arguments (e.g., DU lawyers weighing in on legal issues, medical types weighing in on current study findings, historians interjecting some context to issues with historical precedence,etc.

This is not to say that Kerry does not have a need to make his message understood by the average American. He has made some inroads, I think, but part of Edward's charm (and Dean & Sharpton) was that they were exceptional in explaining complex issues in a manner that can be understood. People relate to those they feel they understand. Kerry should surround himself with those who can help him express his key points in a manner that can be concisely and clearly understood by a wide variety of audiences. Hopefully, he has.

For all of our supposed National concern over our children's education, there seems to still be an underlying disdain for certain aspects of higher education. This is the intangible issue that we are going to have to fight with large segments of the population. Clearly it is a reflexive trigger that underlies Bush's "popularity" and support in 2000. If not countered in a manner that can truly strike a chord with Americans disinterested in policy, news, and politics or who are willfully ignorant, we will have a close election.
But, I'm also hopeful that many Americans will have awakened to the threats posed by an intellectually lazy pResident.

[ochazuke]

33. Not a chance, mate.

America is a deeply anti-intellectual country and it will be for the rest of our lives.

That's why Kerry has got to stop sounding like a college professor and using all those big words and making the senate-floor speeches.

Now, he's gotta be MR. TOUGH GUY. "AHM CALLIN YEW OUT DUBYA!" and cowboy stuff like that. Well, maybe not THAT stupid.

[KoKo]

32. If some voters find him boring to listen to, is it worse than listening to

Chimpy? Do most Americans even listen to Chimpy or do they listen to what Faux or the other Cable or Network pundits report that Chimpy is saying.

The boring factor may be a plus. His seriousness may also be a plus.

Most of it will depend on how the Media Spin him. That's what America will see. Just as they didn't listen to what Gore said, because they thought he was "boring," they may not listen to what Kerry has to say.

It just depends....mostly on Kerry's physical Image or Presense, just as it depended on Gore's clothing and weight towards the end.

I hope our country has become more serious, but given the Super Bowl Half Time Extravaganza and Reality TV, I don't have much hope that the country has become any more serious, but rather less serious and is acting out rather than going inward to realize where the Chimp has taken us.

:shrug: Just have to wait and see....

[ibegurpard]

34. whatever you need to tell yourself

:shrug:

[dorktv]

35. That might be the first time I could see why people voted for Kerry.

Who wants passion after the past 12 years?

[Columbia]

36. I saw an interview of Kerry last night

Where he said "Boy, wait till they see the fire in my belly" and he couldn't have said it in a more of a monotone drone than he did.

He better truly get some fire in his belly and talk and act like it if he wants a fighting chance.

[libview]

37. Lets just hope Al Gore doesn't endorse him

kiss of death

[Columbia]

41. Or Michael Moore for that matter.

[Shadoobie]

38. * is a more interesting speaker

Interesting as in "May you live in interesting times"

I'll take 'boring' Kerry anyday.

~ Greg

[Armstead]

39. Agree and Disagree

Agree -- People may be ready for a steadier and more solid presence as president. That aspect of his "boringness" may be an asset in that regard.

Disagree -- People don't anotehr Democrat who is all over the map in his positions, while avoiding the Big Issues. That's boring in a bad way.

It's not all about "jobs." It's about the reason we have a fundamental problem in the workforce, regardless of the percentage of unemployment in any given month.

It's also about the media. Clear Channel does not have the right to operate as any business, and tell America what to think. We need to attack media consolidation.

healthcare can't just be fixed with a bandaid. We need universal and affordable healthcare for everyone. If that means we have to beat up the insurance and corporate healthcare sector to get it so be it.

Anti-Trust. An extension of the Bid Media problem, in all aspects of the economy. We have to stop this wave after wave of mergers, and cut the corporations back down to a reasonable size.

That's the kind of positions he ought to be taking, in order to be solid but still exciting.

[Spider Jerusalem]

40. I, for one, don't see Kerry as particularly "boring".

It seems that our era of televised electoral coverage is responsible for this phenomenon, and most people seem to think that in order to be successful a politician must be a pathological extrovert, always "on" no matter what, always buoyant and cheerful and energetic and, in general, possessed of those personal qualities shared by politicians as diverse as John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.

This seems to me to be a triumph of form over substance, and a bizarre and simpleminded way of deciding which are the most important personal qualities a candidate for the Presidency should possess. I will take an intelligent, experienced candidate of deep and genuine commitment who offers well-reasoned and sound policies over a demagogue, pep-rally leader or revivalist preacher any day.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[MuseRider]

42. HI Will!

You know, I hadn't even thought about that but you may be exactly right. It is like coming home from a wild rafting trip or something, you just want to chill out and take a bit of calm time. Good thinking, a really interesting thought.

[PurityOfEssence]

43. Hey, no fair! He promised us that "Kerry Gone Wild" tape; where is it?

Whatever he does, he shouldn't try to be something that he isn't. He's dry, stentorian and level-headed; He should be who he is and concentrate on the message. Forget the costumes for the down-home photo-ops and keep it real.

The message is his strongest weapon, so he should focus on that.

[Mr. Bean]

44. My dear fellow Pitt.

I'm also a Pitt..

But the question remains -- is Kerry truly the person we want as a nominee?

[WilliamPitt]

50. Unless you have a way-back machine,

Mr. Pitt, I think the die has been cast.

[Sushi-Lover]

45. "Boring" will appeal to some people

like my grandma, for one, and I don't mean that as an insult as I love the woman. Other folks don't find him boring at all as they have stated on this thread. I have to admit I fall in the "Kerry is boring" camp, but I don't think he is going to change any time soon. My hope is that we will not rely on Kerry's voice alone to rally our people. I am hoping that all our leaders, especially the other candidates, are out there giving speeches on Kerry's behalf (pro-Kerry or anti-Bush I don't care which). If we have a range of people that appeal to many different groups, then I think he will have a much better chance at winning. Although, perhaps I am just craveing a good Dean speech to watch :)

[Butterflies]

46. I love you Will Pitt!

your writing is so right on! Every time I read your stuff I'm very glad you're here.

Go John Kerry! :dem:

[graywarrior]

48. If I had married the bore instead of

the musician, I'd be much happier today.

[nomatrix]

47. Will I have thought about it too

but I'd hate to see him try to change at this point because it takes on a phony quality

Like Dean is so serious, (but his smile just doesn't work)

Like Gore they said was stiff, (then he sounded like the middle of the road)

Like Bush pretending he can talk without a script (then smirks after every sentence like a toddler learning to walk)

John Kerry has sad eyes. Maybe that's age, maybe that's from combat (in congress too) But right now he has maturity, confidence, intelligence, and reality. The focus now narrows to Kerry vs Bush and I believe he can do battle.

[revcarol]

49. Boring is OK, but looking arrogant is not.

The next to last debate, he was rolling his eyes and looking at the audience while Kucinich was speaking and I ALMOST WROTE HIM OFF> He came off as so arrogant. The first time he does this to a person asking him a question and doesn't act like this is the most fascinating person in the world, and it's caught on camera, he's dead.And the first time someone asks him a dumb question and he shows in his facial expression that he's thinks its a dumb question and it's caught on camera, he's dead.If people think he is haughty instead of "Presidential".....

As for boring, he needs to come to the point quicker. MORE MEAT< LESS COTTON CANDY> Health care: "My plan would"...explain it in five sentences, and ZING Bush at the end.Followup questions can be more detailed.

The American people are ready for some sanity, but sanity doesn't have to be boring. If he can, he should cultivate the quick repartee, a la Kennedy. He should show that he has a sense of humor, if indeed he does.that's all for now.

[Cat Lewis]

51. Kerry Boring?

>It's been awfully exciting around here. I'm wondering if 'boring' might be on the menu.

For Dems, sure - I have no doubt that Will is right.

But once again we are faced with the same fact of life that has hit us every four years, when the crazy season rolls around: campaigning and governing require two completely different sets of skills.

We are looking for any Dem who can do a better job than Bush, and so we tend to gloss over any weaknesses we see in Kerry, simply because he's who we have. But the truth is, he IS boring,

I think Kerry would make a great president, but he's a lousy campaigner.

Boring might be on OUR menu, but I'm not so sure we're reading the same menu as the independents and disaffected Repubs...

[Exgeneral]

52. John Kerry speaks!

[KerrySupporter]

53. many of us support kerry

and we will fight to the bitter end. we need to stick together and win this one.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

54. Welcome to DU kerrysupporter!

If you are sincere, welcome aboard!

[VOX]

55. The Net is littered with stories about Al Gore being "stiff," "boring,"

a "policy wonk," "lackluster," etc. etc. This is a common charge against Democratic candidates and one that Kerry must overcome.

Kerry was not my favorite candidate; thus, having "inherited" him, and wanting to get to know hin, I have been watching him carefully -- his way of speaking, his mannerisms, and so on.

I have seen him slip into, upon being questioned, the persona of an overly-introspective, somewhat fumbling, lifetime bureaucrat.

BUT, I have also seen him take control, and present a strong image of a man in command, in control, knowledgeable, reasonable, even-tempered but determined -- in short, a "leader.".

*This* is the Kerry who must show up from now until November 2.

[Blue_Roses]

56. Interesting

because "boring" = stable and secure, so why is it that so many of us like the "bad" guy? The one who keeps us on the edge? I think we have a country laiden with ADHD (me included, for sure) and we like that spark. That's what keeps Bush appealing to those who don't see through his crap.

Intelligence is always seen as "snobbish" to those who are insecure and it takes being in tune with people to know how it can make you appear to others. Kerry seems good one on one, but when he speaks to a crowd, he needs to make EACH and EVERY person feel that they are "heard and special." This is what made Edwards so appealing.

[KerrySupporter]

57. you, willpitt started out in support of kerry long time ago

i welcome you to be back and kerry is the one. we must now give him our all. let you essay his return and be together.

[corporatewhore]

59. He is boring and comes off as wealthy and aloof

[Imalittleteapot]

60. Kerry the statesman. Not boring.

I agree, Will. Voters may be tired of the chainsawin' hurumphin' faux rancher image. This is no longer the time for a President that you'd like to have a beer with, as Bush was described by so many. Instead, Kerry's leadership qualities, maturity, statesman like manner and command of the English language will appeal to many. A beer with Kerry would just taste better.

[Ramsey]

61. Wishful thinking

I am am in wishful mode, so from your mouth to god's ears.

[Jim Sagle]

62. No. Fuckin'. A.

How many Americans really like the excitement of losing their jobs, their health care, their pensions, their IRAs?

Or the tension of wondering if they'll still have a job tomorrow?

Or the heartbreak of losing a son or daughter to make the world safe for Halliburton?

Or the cold and indigestible anger of knowing that the slimy, rotting bag of fascist pus who is looting the world in our name and with our blood and money was not even elected in the first place?

Maybe they'd be OK with a President who knows how to talk.

Perhaps they could settle for a President who knows better than to wipe his glasses on a woman's jacket on national television.

Somehow they might be amenable to a President who only lies once in awhile instead of every single time he flaps his yap.

An economy that creates jobs instead of destroying them might make it worth listening to an occasional multisyllabic speech. And they can always change the channel, anyhow.

I don't think any amount of media spin will work this time. Eight years of prosperity made Americans forget how much it matters who governed them. Having been reminded the hard way, they're not in the mood for pundit smirks and sneers about how Kerry is "French looking" or "boring" or any other pundit silliness. They just won't give a fuck.

[w4rma]

64. Kerry = stability, strength, security (n/t)