May 23, 2004
When's Kerry Going to Let Loose?
The latest issue of “Esquire” ran a feature titled “The Misunderestimation of John Kerry” by Charles Pierce. I’ll spare you the details (the article is a dull read), but I keep getting the feeling Kerry’s holding back and isn’t connecting with audiences and potential voters the way he needs to. Pierce goes on to mention how Kerry’s low-key demeanor has bested more charming and personable contenders like Dean and Edwards time and time again.
Can he pull it off one more time against a (some would say) likable incumbent?
"...Kerry has a serious likability problem, with many voters seeing him as cold, aloof and distant, according to focus groups, recent polls and election analysts" says a May 3rd article by the The Washington Times.
In the story, it mentions that swing-voters polled about their feelings regarding Kerry perceived him as "distant" and as someone who looks "sad" and who rarely smiled or laughed.
"Part of what (the swing voters) want to see in a president is someone who they would invite into their living rooms at night, someone who is likable," said Pollster Frank Lutz.
Is this why Kerry and Bush are still neck and neck even though Dubya's approval numbers keep plummeting? Could it be something as simple as likability? Will the supposed perception that Kerry is unapproachable push the undecideds towards Nader?
We've all seen the pictures of a young Kerry standing behind John Lennon. We know he went to 'Nam and saved lives. We know he's "electable." We know he's the solution for the country in this time of instability. We know that.
How and when will Kerry let his guard down? When will people feel like they've connected with him like they did with Clinton?
But most importantly - who in the hell approved this image?
Posted by Ivan at May 23, 2004 03:02 AMMaybe he is not connecting with the voters because he doesnt say anything they believe. (except most democrats…heck they believed and still believe Bill Clinton)
Posted by: Funboy3 at May 23, 2004 01:58 PMI don’t think likablity is going to be as big an issue this election. In the 2000 election, many Americans had come to think that being President was an easy job. Clinton led us through eight years of peace and prosperity with two hands tied behind his back. Many voters figured that being President was so simple that even a regular guy without a lot of knowledge about politics and stuff, like George W. Bush, could probably pull it off. Boy, were they wrong.
-Cf
Posted by: Christopher Fahey at May 23, 2004 02:48 PMI think Cf is right.
And that image of Kerry is no worse than the one I have on an old Clinton campaign button that shows him playing sax and says, “BLOW BILL BLOW!”
On second thought, who the hell approves these images!?
By the way, the plummet continues. Bush is at 41% approval in a new CBS poll.
Posted by: Woody Mena at May 24, 2004 10:29 AMIvan, as long as Bush continues to erode his own polls, why in the hell should Kerry rock the boat? The best thing Kerry can do under this scenario, is stick with rock solid time honored themes and remain low keyed.
Posted by: David R. Remer at May 24, 2004 07:44 PMHey skunkbud, patience. Kerry isn’t even the Democratic candidate yet.
Regarding the polls, it’s way too early for Kerry to be jumping ahead. Give the public a chance to see who he picks as a runing mate; who he picks as cabinet members; a debate, even.
Right now Americans are focused on Bush. Is Bush doing a good job? Later they’ll decide if it’s worth it to change horses.
The same thing happened to Reagan & Carter. Up until the end, they were neck and neck. Carter was even ahead several times. You know what the result was.
Sit back, relax, and let GW implode.
Wait a minute. This is the right thread. What happened to skunkbud’s comment?
American Pundit, Skunkbud’s comment was sent back to him for editing out the gratuitous expletives. He may repost it after editing if he is so inclined.
Posted by: WatchBlog Manager at May 25, 2004 08:29 AMI think CF is also right about Bill Clinton’s ability to lead us to eight years of prosperety with two hands tied behind his back. (plus a cigar). But he let the terrorists in and stained a perfectly good dress whith a stain which would not come out.
Posted by: Ellen Tauscher at May 26, 2004 12:03 AMJohn, you spent how many months in Vietnam? Four!
You spent how many days in hospilal for the injuries that got you three Purple Hearts? Zero! You reqested to leave Nam how soon after you received the third one? Immediately! Wow, you’re some hero.
