|
John Kerry will have the best opportunity in the last 20 years to unite the country. Maybe not totally unite, but given that the electorate is probably 40% Republican and 45% Democrat with the remainder spread out as independents and other, Kerry has an opportunity to appeal to that middle.
Bush* campaigned on that opportunity in 2000. People voted for that campaign promise. With his actions and his campaign George Bush* has thumbed his nose with impunity to a more united country. Bush's* far right agenda and exclusive campaigns to limit Democratic participation, have poisoned his chances to unite.
Kerry enters with a fresh slate. For the country, Kerry must find a way to make his administration inclusive. At first he can make the middle voters feel welcome. Openness in government, a progressive agenda (without fringe elements) and frequent press conferences would be a good start.
If Kerry can lead Americans away from polarization, he will have accomplished a great feat.
President Clinton, unfortunately, faced an angry right wing of America. I don't think he was prepared for it. He probably considered it a nuisance at the time it started.
Kerry can head that off by getting started positively. Where Clinton had weaknesses to exploit, Kerry may have few.
This is a great challenge, but it is the opportunity to move America to the middle.
|