Nader Role Could Contribute to Kerry Landslide by Forcing New Strategy

[WiseMen]

Ralph Nader’s challenge could help propel Kerry to victory in November, much like the Dean challenge made Kerry’s victory in Iowa a lot more spectacular that it otherwise would have been.

A lot depends on how the Kerry campaign responds to the challenge. With Mr. Nader’s entry into the race Kerry definitely appears to have lost the magic of “momentum” that would have propelled him towards a November victory using a strategy of “positioning” and the power of mass euphoria.

Nader’s 5%-7% in the polls has now stripped Kerry of the margin of victory on the left. Kerry’s long record of public service makes it very difficult for him to re-position right of center. Kerry now has to move quickly from a DLC strategy of “positioning” vis-à-vis prevailing public sentiment to a much more aggressive and challenging strategy of “maneuver” to win the battle of ideas.

In this strategy of “maneuver” Kerry has to move his forces against specific electoral targets with direct grassroots campaign to convince, capture and commit voters to his cause and rally them into impassioned opposition to the Bush regime and its policies.

The image of the campaign has to reset to one of John Kerry hop-scotching over the Iowa country-side meeting with voters. We know that face-to-face and in town-hall meetings Kerry will win the support of the people. So even as the polls may continue to show Nader attracting a percent public opinion, the Kerry campaign will be capturing more and more of the undecided.

Come November, Kerry could have won over additional committed voters in the key States and closed the gap with Bush. Plus, as the election approaches Nader support will more than likely turn to Kerry rather than risk electing of Bush. Thus a late breaking victory surge for Kerry could be the result of Nader’s role. By forcing Kerry into a strategy of maneuver, Nader could contribute to a Kerry landslide.

In 1997 as he and Paul Wellstone launched the campaign for "Clean Money, Clean Elections" legislation, John Kerry knew he was fighting against the odds: "We're gonna need the most massive citizens' grassroots organizing effort that we've ever had," Kerry said. Now in 2004 Kerry faces an even greater challenge to take the White House in November.

[Raya]

1. Great to find a way to get Nader out by September.

[WiseMen]

9. I' ve heard Nader is so stubborn (delusional) on running, no one can get

him to change his mind.

[IrateCitizen]

10. If you had seen the exchange between him and The Nation...

... you would realize the pinpoint accuracy of the statement you just made.

The Nation wrote a column urging him not to run, saying that although they have been fans of his work as a consumer rights crusader over the years, that they saw the ousting of the Bush Administration as just too important to fool around with.

Nader replied with some meandering letter accusing the Editors of The Nation of impinging on his right to free speech, and accusing them of trying to limit democratic choice.

You are right that his insistence on running borders on the delusional, as scores of his former supporters have even publicly stated that they do NOT want him to run this year, that the stakes are too high.

Personally, I think its sad that someone who dedicated so much of their life to fighting on behalf of "regular people" has allowed themselves to be consumed by the idea that they are bigger than the people for whom they used to fight.

[Sensitivity]

12. I just read it. Quite tragic. It is as if he feels compelled to do the

last act of a play.

[IrateCitizen]

17. Yeah, and the play is a Greek tragedy.... (nt)

[corporatewhore]

2. in austin the nader 4 prez coordinator has recruited

the old school conservatives and libertarian types she worked with last summer to get an anti patriot act resolution here in austinThey also didnt like the war .weird huh?

[IrateCitizen]

3. OH MY GOD! This isn't a sensible POV on Nader, is it?

If it is, slap me silly with a salami sandwich and call me Susan, because I think I've just ventured into Bizarro World! :spank:

WiseMen, you just jumped about 100 pegs in my book! Thank you so much for looking at this whole context in a detached way, refraining from permitting the venom to flow readily from your mouth at the mere thought of the name RALPH NADER.

Personally, I have been quite encouraged by the "personal" campaign that Kerry has been running thus far. I hope he can keep it up through the summer -- because with the advantage that BushCo has in $$$, a deep and sustained grassroots network will be the best counter we can have come fall. Additionally, Kerry will be able to learn a few things about the people whose support he's seeking, and the problems they face in the current world.

[Raya]

4. I agree. A prety rational approach. I couldn't be rational about Nader!

[Sensitivity]

11. I agree with your previous post Raya: A woman needs to get to Nader

His heart and eyes are closed to what is really happening.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Would be very interested to know

who makes up that 7%?? How many are the ultra-libertarian and conservatives who are pissed at $hrub. So would Nader's numbers drop if a right-wing alternative was mentioned?

Without knowing the make-up of who that # is, I can't guess whether this means Kerry should right more to the left or not.

[La_Serpiente]

6. The key to a Kerry victory

would be for the Democrats to have a huge GOTV effort and registering new Democrats. That is the only way IMHO that we could do it.

Kerry should also spend more time campaigning against Bush instead of Nader.

I hope Nader campaigns more against Bush than Kerry.

[WiseMen]

7. There is still a big challenge to WIN THE VOTE. Many don't know Kerry

and are subject to enemy propaganda. If a person becomes a real
believer, they will vote.

[Jane Austin]

13. Yeah! That IS the ticket!

Registering thousands of those millions of people who haven't ever voted, but who are most affected by RW policies is the key to winning this election.

Carry the forms around with you so you can give the unregistered a form right then and there.

[WitchWay]

21. What Nader campaigns against

Nader basically said that he'll do just that: campaign more against Bush than Kerry.

But, I don't doubt that he'll probably take them both to task on some issues though, especially about corporatism and corporate domination over the political system. But, I definitely got the impression that its Bush he's going to attack.

If Dems register as many people (no matter the party) -- that will help the Dems.

[Mobius]

8. Ye Gods! You have made me feel better

Im still not forgoing the Nader dartboard Im making.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. Off topic

Your photography is incredible! :thumbsup:

[Mobius]

15. u made me smile when I needed it alot

thanx :hug:

[John_H]

16. "I got the powah" Ralph will never drop out. n/t

[WiseMen]

18. I agree. Have to win despite the Nader factor

[genius]

19. Good points

Kerry needs to continued urging to keep him committed to opposing Bush's programs.

[cornfedyank]

20. to get to the unwashed masses

jfk can not just oppose policies. he has to inspire, and give a hope to folk that don't feel they have a chance anymore. He has to show an attainable vision for america and her posterity.. a far sighted energy policy would be a good start. --"the way to beat the president is to attack him on the left and the right."--pat buchanan

[WitchWay]

22. Yep

Hopefully, Nader can help Kerry do this. Nader basically said he hopes Kerry sort of starts picking up on Nader's talking points, that they are free for the taking. Kerry does need to pick up on some more inspirational and meaningful policies.
Nader is simply a new dynamic in the race, and as long as voters are not too commited or unified too soon, things should work out well in the long run.