The smear we need to work hardest against

I live in Massachusetts, not exactly a "battleground" state.
But even though Kerry will win here easily, some of his harshest critics can be found here also. Kerry's RW critics can be heard over the radio both locally and nationally, and of course everyone who has cable hears the regular crap too.

Everytime I meet someone who says they're voting for Bush, the NUMBER #1 reason the give is because they say Kerry "flip-flops", that he changes his position whenever it is convenient.

It's not about Vietnam service, the economy, Iraq, or Bush's miserable record. It's about Kerry "flip-flopping".

Most people cannot even cite an example of Kerry F-F'ing, but it's in their heads... it IS real to them. It's a character flaw.

IMO, this is what the kerry campaign must turn around - this fricken Flip-flop label KKKarl Rove has seemingly succesfully pinned on Kerry.

Responding to it only give it more credence

When enough people start doing this, they will stop saying it.

When it's brought up it's easy to respond with a long list of Bush FLOP-FLOPS (I like that lol).

There was a thread earlier today about defending Kerry against these lies versus responding to them with attacks on Bush.
I am for attacking, not defending.

bush attacked wrong country.

of Karl Rove. Simplistic labels for simpletons to absorb.

AND Karl figured out that running a simpleton for high office (Gov. and Pres.) would appeal to the simpleminded voter.

The awful part is that he was right. We just have to hope that there are enough non-simps out there who are hurting sufficiently to take in a message a teensy bit more complicated.

I'm sure a lot of us here on DU laughed when we first heard the stupid flip-flop line. I did. I was frankly embarrassed by it. There are days when I want JK and JE to talk in monosyllables or perhaps just grunt, but I get over the feeling.

The real flip-flopper is Bush.
See for yourself at:

http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=137673

I had students in 2002,03, and 04 still saying this.

2000.....Gore lies

2004.....Kerry flip-flops

simple....easy to remember....repeated every 10 or so 24/7 on RW radio, which A LOT of people listen to.......often because it's the only radio they get in their car, or at work

It says "Flip-flops or boots?" Yes, it's a B/C billboard.

We need to get in their face - turn it right back at them and enunciate bush's failures. Repeat, repeat etc - if enough of us repeat it'll take hold.

for every ad an immediate, more powerful answer. and your idea is perfect.

I think ignoring attacks is a bad idea -- don't have to look too far in the past to see that!! I think, at a minimum, he can neutralize the issue by hammering Bush on the same thing. Check out this link on
<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/bush/articles/2004/06/05/steadfast_bushs_amazing_flip_flops/">Steadfast Bush's Amazing Flip-flops</a>.

If it's a draw, then it's a non-issue. As it is, it has definitely hurt him signficantly. Kerry also hurt himself by not raising the significant character flaws that Bush has early on in the campaign. Keep it <b>honest</b>, but aggressive. Taking the "high-road" will just let Rove eat Kerry alive.

Kerry, immediately but oh-so pleasantly launch into a few choice bush F²'s! Here are a couple of great lists - you can pick one or more of them and fine tune your delivery:

DNC Top Ten Bush Flip Flops:
http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/top10_flipflops/

Here's a fantastic one, since the ban will expire very soon and won't all those terrorist cells already in the US love getting their hands on assault weapons?

9. Bush Flip-Flops on Assault Weapons Ban
Bush Flip: Bush Supports Extending Assault Weapons Ban
Ashcroft: "It is my understanding that the president-elect of the United States has indicated his clear support for extending the assault weapons ban, and I will be pleased to move forward with that position."

Bush Flop: Bush Opposes Extension of Assault Weapons Ban
"The White House is opposing addition of gun show and assault weapons restrictions to a bill shielding firearms makers and dealers from lawsuits, prompting angry complaints from Democrats that President Bush is reneging on earlier support for the two proposals...In a statement , the White House urged passage of the lawsuits measure without amendments that might delay its enactment. 'Any amendment that would delay enactment of the bill beyond this year is unacceptable,' the statement said. Democrats interpreted this as an effort to undermine support for the gun-control measures. 'For the president to say he is for the assault weapons ban but then act against it is a flip-flop if there ever was one,' said Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), one of several sponsors of the assault weapons proposal in the Senate."


- - - - - - - - - -

From Kos, March 2004, a more generalized list
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/3/7/213753/1954

Bush is against campaign finance reform; then he's for it.

Bush is against a Homeland Security Department; then he's for it.

Bush is against a 9/11 commission; then he's for it.

Bush is against an Iraq WMD investigation; then he's for it.

Bush is against nation building; then he's for it.

Bush is against deficits; then he's for them.

Bush is for free trade; then he's for tariffs on steel; then he's against them again.

Bush is against the U.S. taking a role in the Israeli Palestinian conflict; then he pushes for a "road map" and a Palestinian State.

Bush is for states right to decide on gay marriage, then he is for changing the constitution.

Bush first says he'll provide money for first responders (fire, police, emergency), then he doesn't.

Bush first says that 'help is on the way' to the military ... then he cuts benefits

Bush-"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. Bush-"I don't know where he is. I have no idea and I really don't care.

Bush claims to be in favor of the environment and then secretly starts drilling on Padre Island.

Bush talks about helping education and increases mandates while cutting funding.

Bush first says the U.S. won't negotiate with North Korea. Now he will

Bush goes to Bob Jones University. Then says he shouldn't have.

Bush said he would demand a U.N. Security Council vote on whether to sanction military action against Iraq. Later Bush announced he would not call for a vote

Bush said the "mission accomplished" banner was put up by the sailors. Bush later admits it was his advance team.

Bush was for fingerprinting and photographing Mexicans who enter the US. Bush after meeting with Pres. Fox, he's against it.

Kerry.
We must come back at them every time they respond with the flip flop.

I suggest something simple and direct, like "LIAR."

these two get my votes...ppl are already vaguely familiar with the chickenhawk thing, although most ppl associate it more with cheney at this point.

I have done it successfully a few times with undecideds and repugs one-on-one. First I ask them to give specific examples. Specifics can always be refuted. But most of the time they cannot. It's just an impression that they have got from media propaganda and believe that there has to be some truth in it. There are a couple of ways to fight that general impression -

a) impress upon them how social,economic and political situations change very rapidly. Also point out how contradictory issues are often clubbed together in one single bill. With 25 years of voting records, there are bound to be some votes which can be interpreted as contradictory. That's true for any politician - it has nothing to do with Kerry in particular. This smear campaign is attempted on any senator who runs for presidency. Does not make it true. One of the reasons only two senators succeeded in presidential runs in last 100 years.

b) insist on the fact that thinking and changing positions with changing times and circumstances are the signs of an intelligent, progressive leader. It's much better than being consistently wrong
on every issue (pick your issues based on the person you are talking to) which is a sign of stupidity or insanity.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." - Albert Einstein

untrue

unfounded

but the murkans sure like to repeat it