NYT: United in grief but divided who to vote for

[tomfodw]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/politics/campaign/09pitts.html

United in Their Grief, but Divided on What to Do on Election Day

By JAMES DAO

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 3 - His only child, Pfc. Tim R. Brown Jr., died in Iraq last year. But Tim R. Brown Sr. supports the war more strongly than ever. And he intends to cast an enthusiastic vote for President Bush in November.

Mr. Brown's former wife, Pam Lois, has serious doubts about the war and questions whether her stepson's death was necessary. A lifelong Republican, she says she is likely to vote for the Democrat, Senator John Kerry, if only to defeat Mr. Bush.

Samuel Oaks is so bitter about the death of his grandson, Sgt. Donald S. Oaks Jr., in Iraq last year that he cannot bring himself to vote for Mr. Bush, as he did in 2000. But neither can he stomach the idea of voting for Mr. Kerry. So he expects to cast his ballot for Ralph Nader.

"The Republicans, they just don't have an exit strategy," Mr. Oaks said. "But Kerry, who knows what he's doing?"

:::snip:::


If there are more people like this out there, how does Kerry reach them and convince them to vote for him?


Also, check out this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/national/09deaths.html?hp

[beyurslf]

1. He doesn't need to reach him. He was Bush voter who no longer is a

Bush voter. That is enough in a swing state. Bush can't afford to lose people who supported him in 2000 in states that he lost.

[JohnnyCougar]

2. Kerry exit strategy...

"We cannot end this war BY OURSELVES unless we initiate the DRAFT. We must solidify ties with our allies and former allies to build a REAL COALITION in Iraq. At this point, our only options are DIPLOMACY or DRAFT. For as long as this war has started, I have been calling for increased diplomacy, and now I stand steadfastly by my previous position. The cost in lives and in dollars for a continued occupation of Iraq will be astronomical. President Bush has gotten us in this situation, and I will get us out."

If he said something like this, he would be emphasising that he is not a flip-flopper, bringing up the very real possibility of the draft, formulating an exit strategy AND bringing up the fact that Bush caused this mistake.

[michigandem2]

3. i feel sorry for * supporters who have family in Iraq

and if they do get killed..they desperately want a REASON and a cause for why their son/daughter/wife/husband/sister/brother were killed for if Iraq is liberated..then they didn't die for no reason at all...BUT Bush got us into a real mess..under false reasons..and must go...I just don't know why they think stickign this out with this asshole is a wise move???