Does anyone else think the "Misery Index" is the worst...

[malachibk]

move Kerry could have made? Imagine...Kerry's long, gloomy, sad face over a headline that includes the term "Misery Index". Ugh. Shouldv'e made the point in a different, more forceful way.

[rumguy]

1. I hate the idea

What the hell are they thinking?

[Leilani]

2. Bad Move!

Under the ORIGINAL misery index, Bush admin's numbers look good.

Also, with 9/11 news, Iraq news, why isn't Kerry discussing foreign policy, terrorism, & national security?

I don't get it!

[malachibk]

4. Why isn't Kerry out there talking about anything?!

And I mean out there in a way that's accessible to people who don't seek stuff out like we do here at DU.

He needs to start saying things that get media attention -- one bombshell a week to keep bush on his toes.

Kerry has less $ to run ads, so it's really up to his speeches, ideas and attacks to get CNN et al to listen.

[Nite Owl]

3. Reminds me of

Jimmy Carter and his 'malaise'. People don't wnat to hear it, they know how they feel and want to feel better.

[rinsd]

5. Actually.....

Carter used this pretty effectively in his 76 campaign.

It's just that Reagan also used this effectively...in 1980.

[Trajan]

6. I think the Misery Index is a great idea ...

Go figure ...

Hey ? .. people are out of work, and they hear about joblessness nd gas prices every day ...

Its a great way to focus on the bad results of a Bush/GOP Presidency ...

Are YOU better off than you were 4 years ago ?? ..

[waldenx]

7. tip of the iceberg

He could have scored big by pointing out HOW Conservative ideology (not just merely Bush) directly affects people's lives.

[never cry wolf]

8. It is a GREAT move

Because it is the truth and it is provable! The hue and cry many here (supposedly dem supporters) to have Kerry stick his head out over his skis is bad politics and really could come back to bite him. He is playing it very cagey which is what he has to do. 1/3 of the voters are independent and they are now being turned off by the bushco attacks. No reason to deter them. Let the truth come out, let the attack dogs go after their own former trusted officials and let the public's eye open to truth and reason.

As Will Pitt wrote today, no sense getting in the way of a perfectly good train wreck.

Osama bin Laden need only sit back and watch everything go his way. He is almost certainly aware of the old military rule which states, "Never interfere with an enemy who is in the process of destroying himself." It is unclear how that statement translates into Arabic, but the old-school Chicago politics version is equally succinct: "Never get in the way of a perfectly good train wreck." However you phrase it, George W. Bush is proving these old sayings to be axiomatic, and Osama bin Laden is smiling.

http://truthout.org/docs_04/041204A.shtml

[KissMyAsscroft]

9. Yep...I agree...

If the Repukes bitch about the misery index, they just have to point out that Reagan used it and than say "What, you aren't critiscizing Reagan, are you!!??"

Their heads will explode.

[malachibk]

11. First, I don't like your allusion

that I'm somehow not a true democrat because I (and others who find fault with our candidate) dare to criticize Kerry. But I'm "progressive" so maybe I'm not a "true dem" circa 2004.

Agreed -- Kerry shouldn't say a thing about 9/11.

However, if he's elected, he'll have to deal with Iraq, won't he? Now that things are in the shitter for Bush, it'd be a good time to offer a CLEAR, unapologetic stand decribing what he'd do.

And yes, the "misery index" is true and provable -- I was just pointing out the unfortunate irony that Kerry, who looks miserable even when he's smiling, is out talking about the Misery index. Drive the point home in a better, less soundbitey-way. Hell, YELL it home. Show some fire.

[cally]

10. Incredibly dumb

Kerry needs to define himself right now with a positive message. He unveils this??? Just won't work and is way too negative at this point in the campaign.

[Cocoa]

12. at least someone's talking about reality

I find it incredibly frustrating that Bush and all his media whores continue to tell us how great everything is.

I'm sure I'm not alone, I'm sure there are tons of people that will be grateful for Kerry telling the truth.

[Kerry Edwards 2004]

13. Misery is a Mistake

I think the Misery Index theme was a terrible mistake but I am one of those voters that thinks we need a positive message. I don't think we can focus on the negative all the time. Looking at all of the comments on this topic and others it is clear to me that, in addition to our many other differences, we have two major groups of voters that Kerry can appeal to -- the voters that are angry at Bush and want to talk about all the awful things he has done, and the voters who are angry at Bush (some not angry but don't like him or his policies) but want to hear the postive changes we can make. This is one more reason why I support a Kerry/Edwards ticket. We can get both groups of voters with both men on the ticket. Each appeals to different voters.

[Robb]

14. I think it's brilliant for many reasons

...not least among them that Rush hates it. :)

[robcon]

15. It sounds too much like Carter's "malaise" statement.

Kerry has to be positive. He has to have a vision of America that is appealing, upbeat and optimistic.

His surrogates like Kennedy can be negative. Kerry never should.