Kerry's Entrepreneurial Democrat -lockingup terrorists/min chg to Patriot

[papau]

The Weekends Red vs Blue - Kerry as 'Entrepreneurial Democrat'who wants to lock up terrorists is advised to campaign on minimal chg to Patriot Act.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39044-2004Apr24.html
AMERICA IN RED AND BLUE : A Nation Divided Political Split Is Pervasive Clash of Cultures Is Driven by Targeted Appeals and Reinforced by Geography By David Von Drehle Washington Post Staff WriterSunday, April 25, 2004 <snip> A large number of voters -- seven in 10, according to one Pew Research Center poll -- say they have already made up their minds and cannot be swayed.<snip>..Kerry supporters routinely attack Bush with the familiar Red stereotypes -- he is, according to the charges, ignorant, belligerent, a cowboy, a religious zealot. Likewise, Bush supporters brand Kerry as elitist, a snob, lacking conviction and unpatriotic. <snip>

the Bush campaign is framing Kerry, not simply on the issues but as a person who can — or cannot, they reason — identify with average Americans. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37920-2004Apr23.html Kerry as a Rich Target Republicans Portray Challenger As Out of Touch With Most Voters By John F. Harris

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37827-2004Apr23.html
Kerry Eschews GOP's Labels for His Own: 'Entrepreneurial Democrat' By John F. HarrisWashington Post Staff WriterSaturday, April 24, 2004; Page A04 Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry tried yesterday to shake off President Bush's charge that he is an unreconstructed liberal, saying instead that he is an "entrepreneurial Democrat" who wants to lower taxes on most businesses and middle-class voters. <snip> Although Kerry backs repealing Bush-era tax cuts on people with high incomes, he said that "98 percent of Americans and 99 percent of American businesses will get a tax cut, contrary to the $58 million that has been spent to distort that plan to date." <snip>

Sunday, the Los Angeles Times' Peter Wallsten wrote about the reemergence of the Patriot Act as a key issue for BC04, and how Democratic nominee John Kerry has had to tone down his criticism of it, as polls show the law is not unpopular among voters — and in fact, helps Bush's image on national security. "There's a dangerous trap here for Democrats,' said Jim Mulhall, a Democratic strategist working with independent groups targeting Bush. 'It's a terribly unfair characterization, but … if Democrats are not careful, they will sound more like they're worried about technical concerns than they are about locking up terrorists."

[aquart]

1. Define "terrorists."

I understand Karen Hughes defines them as "protestors."

I want the Patriot Act to sunset and never be spoken of again. Why should we have to exist forever under the rules of hysteria?

[papau]

2. Problem with sunset are the fact their are some good - and folks believe

it helps.

So Kerry must walk lightly.

Indeed carving it back to what is just needed and good would not be a big deal - after the election - but before the election the media will sell "soft on Terror" for the GOP.

Indeed some of the worst civil rights blows - secrecy and enemy combatants - do not even come from the Patriot Act!