Five suggestions for the Kerry campaign, based on a review of his site.
John Kerry should provide a form that allows Kerry supporters to write and send letters to the editors of their local papers, much like George Bush's action center provides. Right now, Kerry provides only the following: links to newspapers in seven states (Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin) and links to two amateur sites, each with links to newspapers. From there, his supporters must hunt for the postal or email address to use to send a letter to the editor. How many letters does the Kerry campaign expect to generate with that process?
John Kerry should provide a form that allows Kerry supports to write and print letters to other registered voters, asking them to support Kerry. Howard Dean, John Edwards, and others provided such forms during the primary campaign to generate cheap, personal direct mail; Kerry should do the same during the general campaign. He isn't.
John Kerry should provide three black and white, 8.5" by 11" flyers on national security, one for each of the following topics: how George Bush has failed America on national security; how George Bush compares to John Kerry on national security; and how John Kerry will ensure America's national security.
John Kerry should provide three black and white, 8.5" by 11" flyers on taxes, one for each of the following topics: how George Bush has raised taxes for most Americans; how George Bush compares to John Kerry on taxes; and how John Kerry will lower taxes for most Americans.
Right now, Kerry provides postcards on the following topics: civil liberties, courage, the economy, education, the environment, the environment (again), and foreign policy. He has handouts on the following subjects: his biography, the issues in general, the environment (yet again), health care, and workers. Notably, nothing on the issues that Bush has used against Kerry in the past weeks: national security and taxes. The primary campaign is over; the general campaign has begun. Kerry needs to change his online campaign accordingly. He hasn't.
John Kerry should provide a form that allows Kerry supporters to register to vote, much like the process provided by George Bush, the League of Women Voters, and Rock the Vote, rather than ask that they download, print, and complete the form. In this way, Kerry can ensure that the forms are complete and legible, and if possible, establish a database of voters for future outreach efforts. He should provide a similar form that allows Kerry supporters to apply for an absentee ballot. I'd further suggest that he employ the specific forms for those states, such as Georgia, for which no postage is necessary.
The next isn't quite a suggestion.
John Kerry should never touch that goddamned guitar, and he should banish all images of it from his site. "Kerry Rocks!" my ass. Who thought that up, and how long have they been writing "I (HEART) Kerry" on their Trapper Keeper? My grandfather rocked harder on his banjo. I suggest that they substitute images of him snowboarding.