For Kerry to win, he can't simply be ABB

[brentspeak]

The smear attacks have put Kerry on the defensive so much that it has prevented him from winning the voter over on his own merits. I think that the only impression that Joe/Jane average voter has right now of Kerry is that he's "that guy who's having a big argument with those SwiftVet guys". That, as well as being the opponent that Bush is labeling a "flip-flopper".

Too many people on these boards seem to think that Bush's multitude of scandals and outrages guarantees that Bush will lose. But, of course, that's ridiculous; Bill Clinton had all kinds of scandals, both real and imagined, swirling around him in 1996. But he won easily. Why? Because Bob Dole was simply a terrible candidate. He did not have what it took for the public to wrench their gaze away from Clinton and direct it to himself.

I'm encouraged by Kerry's "Bush/liar" talk from today. It accomplishes two things: 1) it puts BUSH on the defensive, makes HIM have to respond; and 2) it creates an image for Kerry, as one who vows "to tell the truth to Americans".

I want him to keep this up, remain henceforth on the ball. Above all, Kerry has to make people want to vote FOR him, rather than AGAINST Bush.