I want to address two separate issues in this diary.
First this:
Over the last week I have directly or indirectly heard multiple Republicans ask why they should vote for John Kerry. They have raised concern over his "Senate record", flip-flopping, tax raising....you know the rest.
Second this:
Over the previous few weeks I have heard MULTIPLE Democrats or Independents in California wonder why they should bother voting in CA given that CA will vote for Kerry anyway. Now, the Democrats in question are actually staunch Kerry supporters and want Bush out of office. But they have been told CA is a blue state and wonder why their vote makes any difference.
I would like to provide answers here. I hope this community can use this information as well, since I am sure there are Democrats not just in blue states but also red states who probably wonder whether their vote counts.
[more...with useful links...below the fold]
A. RESPONSE TO BUSH SUPPORTERS, ON KERRY:
My response in a nutshell is captured in my post at the following website:
John Kerry for Dummies
http://bush-v-kerry.compassiongate.com/kerry.htm
My response (above) is broken up into the following three parts (I am not reproducing the details here but only the main sections in my response):
I. WHY REPUBLICANS WHO ASK ABOUT KERRY'S RECORD AND POSITIONS ARE JUSTIFIED IN ASKING FOR IT
[Hint: They are worst informed about their own candidate and the facts in Iraq, so why wouldn't they want to know about Kerry?]
II. THE RECORD THAT KERRY DOES NOT HAVE
[Hint: Lowlights of Bush's record]
III. THE RECORD THAT KERRY DOES HAVE
- Kerry and Vietnam: Volunteering, the War days, the Anti-War days
- Kerry the Prosecutor
- Kerry the Lieutenant Governor
- Kerry and the Senate - His Investigative Record
- Kerry and the Senate - His Voting Record
- Kerry and The Senate - Passing Bills
- Kerry and the Senate - Lobbyists and Fundraising
- Kerry and His View of Terrorism and National Security
ENDNOTE 1: Does Bush's record show he has successfully secured America from another terrorist attack on U.S. soil? [Hint: If it does (3 years of no attacks), then can't we say Clinton did an even better job with no terrorist attacks on U.S. soil between 1995 and 2001?]
ENDNOTE 2: Anti-Kerry fraud and lies
Do take a look at my response and spread the word if you believe it is useful.
P.S. One of the most common questions I am asked by Kerry supporters is how to respond to Republican charges that Kerry will raise taxes and will 'kill' the economy. Now you and I know this is a bogus charge, but there are easy ways to refute this charge. I've got the compilation here:
Democrats v. Republicans on the U.S. Economy
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B. RESPONSE TO KERRY SUPPORTERS, ON VOTING:
This is addressed in particular to Kerry supporters in the "red" and "blue" states. Folks, your vote matters more than you think. Why?
1. Vote fraud and suppression by the Republican Party is likely to be rampant
There is already a vast and growing list on this:
Vote Watch 2004
http://vote2004.eriposte.com
Dkospedia Voter Fraud Clearinghouse
http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/Voter_Registration_Fraud_Clearinghouse
Bottomline: No race can be ignored, in ANY STATE.
2. It helps Kerry if we can get him a good popular vote!
Some people are hinting at a possibility that Kerry may win the Electoral Vote but not the Popular Vote because Bush's base in the red states is mobilized strongly. For example, see here.
While this remains to be seen, why leave things to chance? Haven't we learnt from the Clinton years how the Republican Noise Machine will try to delegitimize Democrats without a majority popular vote? And how the media will be complicit in it, while ignoring any similar questions about Republicans in power?
3. There are other close races in your states where you can support Democrats!
The Presidential election is not the only critical election this November. The control of the Senate and the House is almost as important. Kerry may not be able to do much if you don't hand him a Congress that can support him. So, take some time this week - visit this site Dailykos or others like MyDD to figure out which candidates in your area need help, mobilize support for them and vote for them!
[P.S. Don't forget Governor's races!]
4. Regardless of everything else, every vote always counts
You can't complain about the country being messed up if you can't take a couple of hours (or less) to vote!
NOTE: Updated some wording for clarity.