A TRAGEDY OF ERRORS

Democrats overlooked or ignored the intense hatred of the Republicans because they had lost eight years in the White House. The signs were all there. A plethora of talk shows and a co-opted media, burning under the scourge of being called "Liberal," dominated the information available to the public.

As if that weren't enough they hounded Clinton and his administration with investigations and impeached him for lying about sex. They raged against Democrats constantly. The signs were all there.

Once the Supremes had appointed Bush, the Democrats in Congress were demoralized only to be brought back to semi-life when Gentleman Jim Jeffords jumped to Independence because he could no longer stomach the compassionate conservative crap.

But that lasted only until the 2002 midterm elections where the Republicans got the majority in both houses of congress. Now they owned all three branches of government and Bush put on his dictator-of-the-world hat and Democrats in congress bent over and grabbed their ankles.

These D.O.A. Dems were resuscitated again, this time by Governor Howard Dean as he campaigned for the presidency. Now that Democrats have picked their candidate, Senator John Kerry, the Party is said to be reinvigorated.

Will they tragically repeat the errors of the past? Vile things are seeping out of the cracks in the Bush administration that may become issues. Certainly the chance to take over the White House is there but will the Dems boot it again?

Will the testimony of Paul O'ÒNeill and Richard Clark influence the electorate? It sure looks as if the Bushites think so as they have descended on the media with all the shock and awe they can muster to discredit these whistle blowers.

Carl Rove has been planning his moves and shaping his candidate for years. He is touting Bush as LEADER, a strong man who held the country together after 9/11.

Also from the beginning, Bush was portrayed as just another common man that everyman can relate to. His halting speech and ignorant utterances have been transformed by Rove propaganda into an aw shucks folksiness.

Sure, most voters know Bush is rich but he vacations at his ranch in Crawford Texas which is quite common in outward appearance. He is shown doing manly things like cutting brush. It gives him the appearance of a "working-man" bonding in sweat with the American workers.

And as a crowning touch that no one can possibly miss, the media that covers Bush announces itself as reporting from the Crawford White House while standing in front of a run-down disreputable shack that wouldn't be tolerated by the poorest Vermont farmer.

At the same time Bush's election committee is portraying Kerry as being a rich patrician out of touch with the rank and file of American voters. And Kerry is actually providing grist for their derogatory mill.

Sure Kerry is rich but when he flings the privileges of wealth in voter's faces by vacationing in one of his several palatial domiciles, the Bushites are filled with glee at the contrast they have contrived.

Every person, politician or campaign makes errors. The trick is to learn from them instead of repeating them. There must be people around Kerry who will tell him frankly and firmly how devastating an impression he is creating.

Party leaders MUST put Kerry into an intensive course of "speaking average" and speaking clearly. Now he talks like a senator, confusing rather than illuminating. Kerry must downplay not flaunt his wealth.

Kerry can count on votes from Democrats but he desperately needs the votes of those Independents who might be turned off by his obfuscating speech pattern and his too visible, excessive wealth.

We still hear the slogan, "Anyone but Bush." That anyone includes Ralph Nader, spoiler and imminent threat waiting to compound the tragedy of errors for Democrats.

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twanda@sover.net

2004-013

Copyright 2004 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@sover.net.