Voters don't seem to care about Kerry's war stance. Health Care/Economy #1

[bigtree]

To open up now with a barrage of responses to the nonsense would detract from the campaign's message of economic opportunity, jobs, and healthcare.

The Bush camp, however, has been drawn off of this message (turning the corner) by their own strident rhetoric and by that of their surrogates.

To please those who want one answer or the other to the charges by the Bush camp, the Kerry campaign would be stepping on the economic message that voters have indicated, overwhelmingly, that they are most concerned about.

The chatter may infuriate us but it won't affect anyone beyond the parties core constituencies. Especially if the Kerry campaign stays focused and strong in their challenge of the Bush economy and the administration's failure to do anything about the cost of prescriptions and health care beyond pushing tort reform and more tax breaks to the wealthy.

Diversion and distraction is the tactic of the swiftlies and the cheneyjibes. Kerry is smart to not fall for it and allow himself or his campaign to be thrown off message.

In the meantime, Moveon.org just released a commercial attacking Bush's absence from duty. Don't forget Del Sandusky, fellow swift-boat mate, on the road today defending his 35 year friend.

The sleazy attacks and the diversionary tactics of the republicans have failed miserably. They have backfired. Now the focus will shift back to Bush's dismal record as president and his vacuous non-service in Vietnam.

[Droopy]

1. Well I hope you're right

and DU isn't a microcosm of America. Because, as you know, his war vote is one of the main reasons some people here object to Kerry.

I think you are right and issues like health care, education and jobs are higher on voter's lists of priorities than Kerry's war vote. That is not to say that people don't care about the troops and the war. The actual war itself is very high on the list with most people as witnessed with all the little yellow ribbons that I see stuck to people's cars. It's just that I don't think most people are arguing the details of Kerry's postion on the war vote and the war itself.

[bigtree]

2. I agree that the war and terrorism rank high

Still, in the battleground states like Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, there is little or no demand from voters for Kerry to respond to any of the scattershot of attacks from the Bushliars. In Pennsylvania, Kerry was reported to be leading Bush on 4 out of 5 issues with the economy and jobs at the top of the list, making Pa. look less and less like a 'battleground' and more and more like a Kerry home base.

[Raven]

3. I've been doing canvassing in NH and

the economy/jobs and healthcare are the two issues most frequently mentioned. The War in Iraq is a close third and the War on Terrorism is hardly mentioned at all. Also, when people mention the War in Iraq, it is usually to complain that valuable resources are being drained from this country and that $$$ is being used to build infrastructure over there while ours falls apart.