Ok, now that Kerry is effectively our nominee he has my blessing to run to the center. The question is how to do it. There is little probability that anybody is going to vote for Nader. There is also little danger that Democratic partisans won't come out to vote if Kerry tries to appeal to swing voters. Kerry's real problem is figuring out how to appeal to swing voters without sounding like the wishy-washy opportunist that Bush will accuse him of being.
My suggestion is that Kerry focus on language rather than policies. Instead of repudiating all of his Senatorial votes - which will make him sound like an ass - Kerry needs to learn how to explain them. And explain them in terms that independents and moderate Republicans will find acceptable.
The key group Kerry needs to focus on is fiscal conservatives. Old school Republicans are looking for a reason to not vote for Bush in November. He is fiscally inept, reckless on foreign policy issues, and focused on social causes that they don't agree with or don't care about. They are looking for a reason to vote Democratic. So, what will tip them over the edge?
Understand their concerns. That's it. Acknowledge the problems that conservatives have traditionally had with government. Don't apologize for your programs. Just defend them.
For instance, we all know that fiscal conservatives have a problem with government regulations. So, accept that. Say you have a problem with overburdensome regulation. Tell a story about a highly invasive and wasteful corporate regulation. Laugh at it. Prove that you are aware of it.
But then say, "but that doesn't mean that the food we eat shouldn't be free of Mad Cow Disease." Then defend regulations on efficiency grounds. "If we accept a virtually unintrusive tracking system of our meat, our food system doesn't get shut down whenever there is a scare. Unlike George Bush, I understand the difference between regulations that are wasteful and regulations that empower business and improve the economy."
The irony is that this tactic is essentially a mirror of Bush's "compassionate conservatism". The key for Bush was giving independents and moderate Democrats permission to vote for him without feeling like they were selling their souls. Bush was saying, "It's okay. I care."
On corporate issues, tax issues, racial issues, welfare issues, and military issues, Kerry needs to say, "It's okay, I get it. I won't punish individuals and businesses for making honest money. I won't replace you at work with an unqualified minority. I hate people living off the government with no job. I won't pretend that America faces no threats."
I don't know what terms Kerry should adopt for this, if any. Pragmatic Government? Smart Oversight? Fundamental Responsibilities? Core Government Obligations? But if Kerry gives moderates permission to vote for him he cannot lose.
