Is there danger in a long, drawn-out, negative campaign ?

Is there danger that it will drive down the turn-out to the point where the Repubs will win once again? Looking back at most of Dubya's races, the turnout was historically low - especially in his Texas races. He has a knack for turning off voters. He is not the inspirational type.

Since the negative ads and comments have already started, can the Democrats fight the Repubs for 266 more days on grounds that the Repubs are more comfortable with? George W Bush is right at home with these types of campaigns. Democrats would be wise to know that they are dealing with a political psychopath and be ready to fight back at every moment to keep them on the defensive. At the same time, Kerry should let it be known that we should be talking about the issues, rather than talking about personal matters.

But, the challenge is there for both Parties. Who has the stamina and courage to last for 8 months in a long, negative campaign? The Repubs have never fought a long battle such as that - their negative campaigns, although continuously negative, have never been confronted head-on for such a long battle, either. How will it be received by the voters?

.. there are dangers in a long and negative campaign. I think it's vital that Kerry and his team accentuate the positive.

The Skin

imho, no way will the public attend or even tolerate the current pace.

It's been a nasty debate for three years now. I don't think 266 more days will hurt our chances. In fact, I think Kerry can more than handle it. I've supported him from the beginning for just that reason. As much as we dislike politicians, we really need an experienced politician right now.

Wish I could remember what I was reading or seeing this morning but it went to that issue. The conclusion (and I agree) is that this year people are listening. Rotten economics in your front room has a way of doing that to people. I can't see that they are gathering, however, to hear pearls of more wisdom from the dumb swine. They are listening for someone who can put this gloom and doom behind us. They are desperately seeking a new voice--preferably one that can get through a sentence without crapping it up.

I was a bit surprised that the Repubs went negative so quickly. I suspect that they figure the only way they can win is by using voter suppression tactics. If they can convince enough people that neither candidate is worthy of the office because of the negativism, then their get-out-the-vote and absentee ballot programs could carry the day.

That is one thing that hasn't changed over the years. If 8 months of negativity depresses the turnout then the GOP accomplishes what they want.

says that those 266 will effectively be shortened.
They'll put us on our heels some of the time - when we'll be defensive. Likewise we'll spend a good amount of time making them backtrack. IOW neither side will be negative (or even positive) to a measureable extent.
Then, domestic and foreign affairs and events will come into play as to how the game is played at any particular moment - times we could feasibly label as "non-political" or toss-up days. I think either side could withstand (say) 133 "effectively negative" days.
I sincerely hope "the message" is delivered and received - and then we'll win. I would dread 266 incessantly negative days of campaigning.
MHO
...O...

They always do. So Kerry could say, "Look, our country has more than enough problems to solve. I am calling on Mr Bush to stop the negative name-calling and tell us what he plans to do about the huge structural deficits, funding homeland security, restoring our friendships arund the world, maintaining order in the powderkeg of Iraq, creating real jobs in a stable economy, etc, etc.."

Point out to the people everytime Bush goes negative but do not let up on valid criticisms about his record or lack hereof..

The more negative it is, the more it will turn off voters. 1994 was a case in point, one of the nastiest campaigns with a very low turnout. But what worked in the past may not work in the future.

Who has the biggest base? The Democrats.
Who is the most motivated? The Democrats.
Who has the most unity? The Democrats.

Who has the worst record to run on? Who else.

I get the sense that the Republicans are desperate, whereas the Democrats are the ones having fun with this.

"Bring it on!"

:)

turn out for the primaries has not shown me much.

I've never seen the Democrats so united.

Kerry wrapped up the nomination in Iowa. Low turnout after that would indicate that the rest of the nation was satisified with this.

What were you expecting?

people have watched this man for four years, 2000 they didnt know him. bush has gone into such silliness in exaggeration with the kerry thing, adn simple home budget 101, it is clear give all money away, spend lots of money, life isnt going to be good

there have been suggestion kerry go out and talk what bush has said, and i think that will be easy enough. i just cannot say how good i felt to the reason in cuomo last night on hardball, so clearly put in perspective adn in such easy. wasnt fear based, wasnt hopeless, just simply look,

don't you?

They want to go negative ASAP. So, they get the media to immediately trumpet that BOTH campaigns are going to be slinging mud like crazy.

The truth is that the repigs started early with faked pix of Kerry/Fonda, the fake intern affair story etc. Kerry, on the other hand, is simply revealing the FACTS about the corrupt repigs. If the FACTS paint them negatively, tough shit.

As most Americans are uninformed sheep, they will buy the "both sides do it" mantra, at least for a while. That said, I think that Kerry's new "D-Bunker" response team is going to be a major headache for bushco.

The repigs may well have opened a Pandora's box with this strategy. We'll see.

to go after Shrubco.

It shouldn't be too difficult. All you have to do is hold up a mirror to Shrubco to completely destroy him.

He's his own worst enemy.

that's when he's at his most dangerous.

I think Rove lives in mortal fear of shrub's unscripted remarks. They're like self-directed political torpedoes.

I say, the snippier and nastier we can get him to be, the better. Show the m*f* up for the spoiled frat boy he is.