If Kerry wins the election, he's going to have to be a war President, no matter what. The Iraq war will not be over, and he will take over control of the war that has caused the most American deaths since Vietnam. Furthermore, there will be violence in Afghanistan, and much of the Muslim world remains a powder keg for some future conflict. The War on Terror has not ended, and if anything, it will be further keyed up by this administration's failings in Iraq.
Kerry's weakness is national security, and the American public just can't see him as a War President right now. They don't like what Bush is doing over there, but they still aren't ready to turn to Kerry. The truth is, Bush is an awful war president, cutting benefits to our troops, digging them into deeper shit, and generally making the world more dangerous.
That's why it is absolutely critical that Kerry distinguishes himself now, in the moment of greatest crisis in Iraq (to this point), and really establishes his credentials as a War President. It's much too late for him to be anti-war: he voted for it, and we're in it. Here are a few key points for him.
Support Our Troops: John Kerry needs to get out there campaigning for benefits. The rhetoric is simple: this is the most dangerous time in a generation to be a United States soldier, let's reward our heroes. Announce a plan for a Second G.I. Bill, or something grandiose, increasing troop pay, war widow's benefits, hazard pay, pensions, compensation to the wounded, etc. The message has to be that Bush ignores the costs and we won't.
Increase troops, question June 30th: It's time to present the Bush Administration as anxious to just cut and run in two months. The message is that we are at a crucial point in the war, and the Bush Administration is trying to get out of it and declare victory while we lose. Invoke Vietnam: we left and saw democracy (well, sorta) disappear to our enemies. Bush wants to leave, we'll get the job done.
Rebuild American Leadership: We're not going to do this alone, and Bush has wasted the value of our alliances. Don't talk UN, talk France, and Germany. Talk regional alliances. Say that Bush is incapable of winning our friends back, and Kerry can rebuild the Coalition.
Ask for Volunteers: American troops are stretched, and we need more boots on the ground. Don't even think about talking of a draft, but tell Americans that we need them. We live in a dangerous world, and match increased benefits with an envisioned active role for the President to increase our military. Bush can't, Cheney can't, Rumsfeld can't - they all wouldn't volunteer last time their nation needed them. Good time to praise McCain and Powell.
Thoughts, please?