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Edited on Thu Apr-15-04 08:23 AM by jpgray
Kerry needs to especially be ready on these points:
1. That he offers no different plan from Bush in Iraq
2. That he was inconsistent on Iraq
3. Some BS about 527s subverting Democracy
4. Gas tax
5. Any apparent contradiction in his Senate votes
6. 'Are you really a Catholic?' BS
There are a few more I'm neglecting, but the good news is he can answer every one of these effectively.
1. His answer about 'de-Americanizing' the occupation sounds pretty good and will probably make a lot more sense to people than Bush's nonsense--he should remind people that Bush wants permanent bases, and that the turning over of power on June 30 seems an empty symbolic (and political) gesture.
2. The only real point where his statements are inconsistent was believing there were WMD in Iraq. His 'I voted for a process' doesn't fly very well, but explaining how he always wanted the UN to take a leading role will resonate, as will his consistent calls for a wide coalition BEFORE we made any kind of a mess in Iraq. He can note that Bush didn't give a crap until he really put his foot in it. Also, his consistent wish that all peaceful means be exhausted (inspections!) will sound pretty good. He didn't exactly VOTE for those things, and Russert will hit back that way.
3. This one he can swat away--all he has to say is that he has no control over these groups, and that as long as they operate within the rules it's not much of an issue. He could talk about the waste involved in these expensive campaigns, however, and remind people that the GOP will try to use this loophole as well.
4. Dick Cheney, Wyoming, 80s. Same time, same gas tax plan (more expensive). He can argue that he wished to lower dependence on foreign oil, and now connect that wish with his current plan for an alternative energy Manhattan project.
5. This is a no-win for Kerry, because explaining Senate intricacies is not going to win him any fans. He should mention that sometimes a feel-good bill like a 'freedom is good' resolution will have tons of pork and graft tacked on to it, and so even though voting against it is the right thing to do, one will still be politically attacked out of context.
6. He should smack this one out of the park. Bring up the death penalty, the Pope against the war, and then ask if those politicians are refused communion as well. Of course they are not. He should ask if every female Catholic who believes in a woman's right to choose should be excommunicated from the church. He can take this one easy.
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