The likeability factor

[plazul]

Which presidential candidate is more likeable? Former White House aids say Bush can be a tyrant with an explosive temper often lashing out at staff with threats and expletives. But some polls show that average Americans relate to his just plain folks mannerisms and even his clumsy use of the English language. They also like his reliance on faith and religious convictions.

There's not much information in the mainstream press about what Kerry is like in private but he seems to have many friendships and his daughters swear that he has a great sense of humor and a big heart. But he often appears stilted and stiff on the campaign trail and in television interviews. The American people, it seems, have yet to get to know the real John Kerry.

How important will the likeability factor be in this election? How do you view the two candidates in terms of their personalties?

[jayboy]

They both scare me. For me what bush has going is not caving to world dominance. The flip side of that is his PAC’s would profit from world currency. (there’s a lot of business there) which might get us no sovereignty. What hinders Kerry is caving to world dominance. But he has some other pluses. By now the world knows I will fight World Governance legally, at open forum, on the street corner, by e-mail, etc. That’s just my opinion and after all who am I. I have no money for PAC contributions.

[anastrophe]

The most likeable presidential candidate is John McCain.


oh, wait. darnit!

[digitalfog]

I think both men are likeable. Really!

Bush is straightforward. He is upfront with his beliefs. Doesn't matter who is he is speaking to, he sticks by his beliefs.

Kerry is friendly and has empathy for his fellow man. Problem is, he changes his beliefs when he changes audiences. That is a big problem. In the old days, there wasn't much news syndication to catch-up and entangle a politician.

It is as though Kerry is out of step with time. He should have been around campaigning back in the 1800's.

[plazul]

For me, the biggest blunder so far was Kerry saying that he would vote to authorize the war again even knowing what he knows now. His defenders said he was just being "nuanced", but as a Dean supporter that really through me through a loop.

Kerrry says he meant that would have gone about it differently but I think the remark hurt him with luke warm dem suppoters. They wont change their vote but some might not vote at all.

Kerry needs to ditch the war hero theme but fast and spell out his domestic plan.

[jayboy]

Originally Posted by plazul

For me, the biggest blunder so far was Kerry saying that he would vote to authorize the war again even knowing what he knows now. His defenders said he was just being "nuanced", but as a Dean supporter that really through me through a loop.

Kerrry says he meant that would have gone about it differently but I think the remark hurt him with luke warm dem suppoters. They wont change their vote but some might not vote at all.

Kerry needs to ditch the war hero theme but fast and spell out his domestic plan.

In retrospect H. Dean would have been the man. To bad he didn’t control his frustration. I don’t carry his card, but today and November I would have voted for him. The current group well, I just don’t know.

[plazul]

To tell you the truth, I'm really angry at kerry and his campaign advisors for trying to take the patriot card away from Bush by pushing the war hero theme. Nobody likes a bragger and Kerry sort of teeters on that with his incessant macho references to his bravery under fire. Hey, other guys performed heroically under fire and never got any medals. Now they're in need of help from the V.A. so Kerry should forget about tooting his own horn and talk about what he intends to do for them.

Being a war hero is commendable but let's talk issues. If we go into the election hung up on Viet Nam younger voters may turn away.

I hate to have to hold my nose when I vote but Kerry does have the skills to be our nation's chief executive and Bush is an absolute disaster for our economy and our foreign policy.

[Tombstone]

Yes, I agree with above.

I don't give a hoot about their Vietnam service. I'm looking for an honest, principled based, straightshooting, compassionate, hard-working politician.

Someone who will lead the Executive Branch and uphold the tenants that make this nation great.

I think we'll do okay regardless of who gets into office. Why?

Because I'm afraid that our future politics will be reactive vs. proactive due to the terrorist threat.

[Warsai]

Originally Posted by plazul

To tell you the truth, I'm really angry at kerry and his campaign advisors for trying to take the patriot card away from Bush by pushing the war hero theme. Nobody likes a bragger and Kerry sort of teeters on that with his incessant macho references to his bravery under fire. Hey, other guys performed heroically under fire and never got any medals. Now they're in need of help from the V.A. so Kerry should forget about tooting his own horn and talk about what he intends to do for them.

Being a war hero is commendable but let's talk issues. If we go into the election hung up on Viet Nam younger voters may turn away.

I hate to have to hold my nose when I vote but Kerry does have the skills to be our nation's chief executive and Bush is an absolute disaster for our economy and our foreign policy.

Same here. This reminds me of something said on another thread, "The lesser of two evils is still evil."

Let's hear Kerry talk about the issues so that we know who to vote for come November.