People will not vote for candidates with "character" flaws....

[kentuck]

A "flip-flopper" has a character flaw. He is indecisive and cannot make up his mind where he stands. He is weak. Just as someone is a "liar" or "not being honest" about his ribbons or his record in Viet Nam. These are the most serious charges that can be made in a political campaign.

The Republicans understand that "character" is the weakest point of any political candidate. They have mastered the art of subtly phrasing devastating character assassinations against their opponents. Democrats have been too naive and civil to compete with such tactics up to this point.

[Not Me]

1. A drunk, illiterate deserter is certainly a better alternative

not.

[DemBones DemBones]

2. Except when they vote for Bush*

and I don't know why that's so. Remember how the DUI was dismissed, with the help of the media asking if the Gore campaign was really behind releasing the story?

[movonne]

3. Well that's not true...they vote for bush and he is just one big

character flaw...the trouble is the media picks out our candidate's character flaws, (even where there is none)never never do they do this to bush. So this is what we have to fight. This is what they did go Gore and now Kerry.

[kentuck]

5. The media only echoes what the Repubs "say" are character flaws....

It's a devastating strategy. Just like they did with Max Cleland. how were they able to destroy his character in such a way? And John McCain ? Now we have a Viet Nan War hero, winner of the Silver Star, and he is trying to be destroyed by a lying, AWOL, chicken shit coward from Texas! And people will vote for all those traits before they will vote for a "flip-flopper"....It's very effective. It has worked for them.

[progressivebydesign]

9. We can't stress that media complicity enough..

.. THEY decide what the people hear, see, and read. Truly. The average voter doesn't know that Fox and CNN are deeply biased. They think they are getting news. The meme is that Bush is decisive and Godly, Kerry is a flip-flopping liar. WHO put those ideas in their heads? Beyond the ads.. it was the media. The Democrats have an uphill battle, now that the media has been conglomerated and controlled by republicans. We are Ginger Rogers (as the Dems). We have to do everything Fred Astaire (as the GOP) does, only backwards and in high heels.

We don't have the forum. Fact of life. It sucks. We have to work that much harder to take it to the street, and get the truth out. It's the only way.

[pbg]

4. A character flaw...

...like not inviting in a triple amputee out of the hot sun?

They're working this angle.

[kentuck]

6. A Flim -Flam of a Lying Coward vs A Silver Star Winner ?

Why is there even a debate? Why is it so close? George W Bush is one of America's all-time failures as a president. If he had any self-respect, he would resign today and slink out of town under cover of darkness. America deserves better....or maybe we don't???

[incapsulated]

7. Maybe we don't...

It remains to be seen.

So far, the Kerry campaign has decided not to "go there", not to the extent that Rove is more than willing to. I think this is a mistake, I hope I am wrong.

[Rageneau]

8. And if your candidate doesn't HAVE character flaws, give him some.

That's how the repugnants win again and again. They DEFINE their opponents by scurrilous, underhanded means. They LABEL their opponents.

And it works every time.