Tell me how the Kerry campaign is different from the Gore campaign?

[grasswire]

Can anyone point out substantive differences? The comparisons are going to come in the media with that first debate.

[Melodybe]

1. Bush had not had a chance to destroy the country

Bush's record, his actions, and the RW were not in control of every branch of government.


Plus unlike Gore, Kerry has Clinton up front and visable.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. True. He was a benign entity

for most. He clearly pulled a bait and switch of massive proportions.

[shoelace414]

2. Well..

The guy running is named John Kerry not Al Gore

[UdoKier]

4. Kerry has a failed incumbent as an opponent.

It should be a cakewalk. He's still got a chance, but it would be nice if he acted like he wants it.

[LittleClarkie]

7. How can he act any more like he wants it?

What would you have him doing that he isn't already?

[UdoKier]

12. He's improved in recent weeks...

But it's been rehashed here ad infinitum. The dorky-looking photo-ops - the leisurely response time to GOP slime attacks, the flowery verbiage when simplicity would be best, the lack of the kind of passion and plain-talking that characterized his "Winter Soldier" testimony... He seems to be getting more in gear now, but I wanted to see a bit more fire at the DNC and immediately after the RNC.

[grasswire]

5. what about political strategy?

It appears to some as if Rove has sandbagged Kerry pretty much as Gore was sandbagged. The American people widely see Kerry as a flip-flopper because Rove was able to prevail with that characterization.

And many Dems feel as if the Kerry campaign has been too soft, too timid, as many Dems concluded about the Gore campaign.

When one considers how many things COULD be used against Bush; how many scandals and secrets are allowed to slide.....it does seem frustrating.

[barbaraann]

6. The Gore campaign was pure electioneering.

The Kerry campaign has incorporated the grassroots approach of Howard Dean and others.

The Kerry people are VERY AWARE that they have to deal with GOP dirty tricks and media distortion.

Also, the VP candidate is not running for the Senate at the same time he is on the national ticket.

[LittleClarkie]

8. What is electioneering?

vs the grassroots approach?

I think that the grassroots approach is more to get out the vote and convince undecideds by canvassing and such. Not sure about electioneering.

Help out an election newbie if you would sir.

[barbaraann]

11. Electioneering is working just to get a candidate elected

with no thought to leaving behind a political organization to work for issues or additional candidates.

The Kerry people don't want to just use people to get Kerry into office but want to help build up local and state party organizations, where they can.

[against all enemies]

9. Don't remember Clinton's "boys" being asked to help Gore.

Begala, Ragin Cagin, Lockhart and the rest are having input. Gore was too stupid to let Clinton help. Of course, it may be too little too late.

[TexasSissy]

10. I think Kerry has a better grasp of the facts and policies.

Also, Kerry is just more experienced as a politician.

Also, Kerry relies more on his own decisions, including choosing which campaign staffers' advice to follow. I got the impression Gore did what he was told to do.

Kerry is more comfortable in his own skin. Stiff, like Gore, but still, more comfortable with being the stiff statesman that he is.

Kerry seems more decisive. He changes staffers and changes direction when things don't seem to be working. Gore pretty much continued on the path his staffers decided.

Kerry has the entire Democratic Party behind him. Gore had disassociated himself from the Clinton part.

Kerry is more ruthless as a politician. I don't know whether he'll win or not (I think so....I hope so), but he's going for the jugular in an effort to win. Gore was running on what he considered a fair game field, which turned out to be untrue.

[xray s]

13. Joe Lieberman/John Edwards

that's a big difference. Lieberman gave Cheney a pass in the VP debate. Won't happen this year.