And I think I've figured out what would do it -- what would motivate me to give to the Kerry campaign rather than 527s and other issue-driven groups. I want to see and hear Kerry tell me that he cares about me, and that's why he's running. Right now, right or wrong, I feel like he's doing it because it's "his time" and because Bush must go. Of course, I share the latter sentiment, but although I'll vote for the man, Kerry hasn't convinced me that he would represent me, my family, my friends, my colleagues -- and that doing that is the most important thing to him right now.
Here's an example:
Here's an example.
Kerry has a good environmental record, so I assume he can be passionate about that subject. What I'm hearing, however, is just stuff about his votes and about Bush's failures. What about something like this?
I want to be your President because I'm worried about our environment and what we're leaving for our children and grandchildren. I know -- I'm certain of this -- that it's possible for us as a country to make the changes and sacrifices necessary to move toward less dependence on foreign oil and more reliance on renewable energy sources. It won't be a painless transition, but I believe we as a nation want to do this -- because we want to care for our planet, our country, our wilderness, our communities. We don't want to lose ecosystems and species to our own short-sightedness. We want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and in doing so, reduce a key element of foreign policy conflict. I want to be your President because I want to lead our country in protecting our environment while nurturing its people and industry. I need your help.
Ok, I'm obviously not a speechwriter, but you get the idea. Not a word about his record, not a word about Bush -- just plans and goals and aspirations that don't involve fear and aggression.
I don't want Kerry to tell me about his record of votes, or his speech about special interests -- I want Kerry to acknowledge that he's one of the most fortunate in financial terms and that he can't totally understand what I, or those much less well off than me, go through -- but that he wants to do all he can for us as President.
Yes, I'm angry with this administration, but Kerry as the flag bearer for that isn't working for me; and I don't think it will work for Kerry. Kerry should get Dean on board to do the anger and outrage, get himself humble, get himself a shadow cabinet and get me excited to vote for him.
Because it's all about me, you know -- didn't you get the memo?