Maybe Bush 9/11 ads will change the tone and substance of the campaign!!

[revcarol]

I know you are as sickened as I about Bush's 9/11 ads, depicting himself as a hero, playing as he always has, "I'm the baddest kid on the block!!"

But then there was Kerry: appearing constantly with Vietnam vets, even though many vets like Veterans for Peace hated that...refusing to cut the military budget much, and wanting to add 40,000 troops(for what reason, he didn't specify,)...and continuing to support trade policies that can privatize every drop of water a person drinks, and moving jobs out of the U. S. to low wage countries and then lower wage countries...saying "I'M THE BADDEST KID ON THE BLOCK!!"

WELL, BUSH JUMPED THE SHARK WITH HIS 9/11 ADS.

NOW, the tone and substance need NOT be, "I'm the baddest kid on the block!!"

Maybe Kerry can CHOOSE the option of diplomacy, negotiation, and cooperation without corporate hegemony.

Maybe Kerry can advocate reducing THE DEFENSE BUDGET to a reasonable size, help the deficit and ensure that boomer's SS will be paid.

Maybe "Why they hate us" can be addressed to include corporations raping lands and impovershing people under the guise of WTO and NAFTA.

Maybe Kerry can CHOOSE to get us out of Iraq, restore privatized (stolen)assets to their Iraqi owners,and get corrupt contractors out of there, because we don't have to WIN any more.

You see, "I'm the baddest kid on the block" isn't playing well with America any more.

Ya think?

[lovedems]

1. When Karen Hughes was in defense mode yesterday she was trying

to invoke 9-11 as the day our foreign policy changed. Kerry should call them on it and remind people that our foreign policy is gutter politics. Our "you are with us or against us" is not good foreign policy. "Pre-emptive strikes" are not good foreign policy. Disregarding the UN is not good foreign policy. Occupation is not good foreign policy. Alienating the US from the rest of the world is totally shitty foreign policy.

The chimp is a spoiled brat, bully. That is his notion of foreign policy. If they want to use 9-11 to justify their terrible handling of world events, then Kerry should use that against them to the fullest extent possible! Remember, we had the sympathy of the entire world September 12, 2001 and it was squandered in less then a year.

[WilliamPitt]

2. I think the firemen and families weighing in

will have a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge impact.

[ShaneGR]

20. I agree...... I'm shocked by the dynamic change

That one quote from the family member of a victim where he says he'd vote for Saddam Hussein before Bush is so damaging to Bush I can't even measure it.

To be honest, I'm starting to realize that the Bush Admin is MUCH more damaged than I had previously thought. I'm starting to wonder if this isn't about whether or not we win... but how much we win by.

[glarius]

3. There is one HUGE difference...Kerry actually fought and Bush just says he

will fight for his country and never give up....but Bush hid when he had the chance to participate....That, in my opinion gives Kerry the right to use his military service in ads...

[revcarol]

4. Hell, we know Bush is a coward..

and Kerry actually fought, but does that mean that the country has to continue under a militaristic and hegemonistic mindset under Kerry?

Ready to be flamed...

[glarius]

5. Don't you want to beat Bush at his own game?

I don't believe Kerry is a warmonger like Bush, but whatever it takes to get him elected...well...:shrug:

[revcarol]

6. Why deal with Republicans on THEIR terms?

We can offer a POSITIVE program instead of a negative one.

[glarius]

7. I was only talking about doing the kind of ads that will get Kerry elected

Once he is elected offer a positive program...Firt you have to beat Bush at the polls...:)

[Kanary]

17. "Once he is elected offer a positive program"

Huh?

I'm afraid my trust has been battered too much.

Nope, wanna know upfront, and honestly, what the plans are.

Kanary

[Kanary]

16. Isn't that a replay of Gore's strategy?

"Don't you want to beat Bush at his own game?"

[G_j]

8. you bring up a point that I find disturbing

The debate always seems to get framed for us. I just wish we could step back and ask a few questions before just plowing ahead, playing by their rules.
Why does it have to be, who is the best "war president"? Lets re frame/reclaim the discussion: Who would be the best "peace president"? Who can make the world a safer place by examining poverty, exploitation and injustice? Who can set a more mature tone?
People may think you have to be "macho" these days, but I think that is a lie. Given the chance to see how strong a peace maker and a fearless advocate for real problem solving can be, they will respond. People look for a father figure. If they are allowed to consider a figure as wise, just, tolerant and kind, most would be relieved to be under the care of such a person.

just a few thoughts.. if we don't reject the macho war president image then Bush still wins to an extent. If we can't appeal to people's "better angels" then you have to wonder why we even bother.

[Desertrose]

9. I agree...it does take two to play the game..why should we

always dance to thee repub's tune?

I absolutely agree...the DEMS need to SET the AGENDA...to frame the debate! I don't think we need to play catchup to bush. I agree that the outrage over his cheesy use of 9/11 footage will come back to bite him in th a$$.

I would think anyone slightly turned off by his swaggering bully act would be looking elsewhere and Kerry could be that "elsewhere"...IF IF IF...he doesn't play bush's game....it always takes two to play a game....

Its what I so like about DK...he isn't in competition with bush...he is just simply better and I am hoping Kerry will rise above and offer a CLEAR ALTERNATIVE to bushies phony bullyboy act. Anyone can act tough when they have the US military behind them.

My wish is that Kerry will show that we don't need to strike first to prove our strength...that only bullies do that.That having a clear plan to help people and dialogue is the best alternative to terror.

Peace
DR

[G_j]

10. absolutely

call the bully out and name him for what he is, an immature bully who needlessly endangers others.
Ask people if they would rather be the passinger in a car with someone suffering from road rage or a responsible driver whose focus is on getting their passengers home safely.

[goodhue]

11. hope so

In particular, it would be great if Kerry would CHOOSE to speak of peace thru non-violence rather than engage in one-upmanship thru jingoistic military posturing. But I'm not holding my breath.

[ibegurpard]

12. The ads don't seem to be going over as well as hoped.

Front page of my paper (The Billings Gazette):
"Bush campaign ads about 9/11 draw outrage"
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?ts=1&display=rednews/2004/03/05/build/nation/10-bush-ads.inc

[Octafish]

18. That's key. Their ace is trumped.

They can't play the 9-11 card without being accused of being the fiendish ghouls they are. So what can they do? Talk about Bushler's war record?

Besides, there aren't enough NAZIs and BFEE supporters in the NRA and the KKK combined to make up for how angry America will be when they find out how much Bush knew regarding Osama and 9-11.

Bush is toast, if we play this right. From what I see, someone needs to connect the dots for our friends in the McMedia.

EDIT: Evidence I must learn to hit "Preview."

[G_j]

13. It's ironic

that Daddy Bush used the phrase "kinder and gentler" and GW uses the term "compassionate conservative".
Here we have compassionate, kind and gentle used to soften the macho, mean spirited republican image. We need to reclaim compassion, It's easy enough to demonstrate how Bush is anything but. However we need to offer a genuine alternative, not play the tough guy game.

[revcarol]

14. Can Kerry develop the toughness of spirit of Ghandi or MLK?...

the keep on keeping on necessary to remove as many of the causes of "why do they hate us?"as possible?

The toughness to say no to military adventurism and buying every weapons system known to man?

The toughness of spirit to say, "I was wrong," and the balls to do something about it?

The toughness of spirit to actually root out and find terrorists and their support systems, no matter how long it takes, without violating human rights?

Bush's ad shows the superficial jingoistic militaristic "toughness." Can this ad open up new vistas for Kerry to see that playing the Bush game is stupid and destructive to the nation and the world?

[alcuno]

15. They're testing the waters to see how far they can go.

Both in advertising and at the convention.

[G_j]

19. kick

[tobius]

21. This whole thread is a bit contradictory.

Is the thesis that the military strength campaign by bush has backfired? If so, why do I get the feeling that there is an understanding that kerry has to run the same theme to be elected? Then after election head the other way? Why can't he get elected running on getting rid of "the reasons they hate us" and promoting an "atmosphere of dialog" vs. threats ?

[Malva Zebrina]

22. the longer Bush is allowed to use the "national security" issue

and tout himself as the best one to see to it that our nation's freedoms are blah blah blah, the harder it will be for Kerry to approach his campaign on more postive issues, such as peace-unless he is more direct and forceful on his policies, he will be forced to play Bush's game--national security is one place wherem according to polls, Bush is ahead of the Democrat candidate-At this point it is frustrating to not know exactly where Kerry does stand re war and pre-emptive attacks. It is infuriating to be treated to the same avoidance and politicking as Bush has rained down upon us, in the Dem candidate.

Kerry probably is a good man--wish I could be more certain how my vote is going affect this nation though. It is ABB at this point.