Jeff Jarvis knocks the Democrats for running a race against George Bush and not for John Kerry. The distinction is important and I’m glad that Jeff Jarvis highlighted it. He lists a few observations that lead him to think that this is the case and uses a Google search as additional proof. I respectfully disagree.
While it is true that negative messages get more press, and that webloggers are focusing on the misdeeds of the current administration far more than John Kerry’s stances on the issues, this has more to do with the nature of weblogging and the news cycle than it does with any coordinated DNC activity.
A simple glance at his official advertisements vs. George Bush’s (where the vast majority of communication money is spent) and you will see who the true negative campaigner is vs. the one with a message of optimism and faith in the future of America.
In short: the Bush campaign is selling fear and division. And it’s fear that is Bush’s most potent weapon. Their campaign knows it and is using it like baseball bat across the head. Again and again and again.
Deep in the Buzzmachine comments thread, Jeff Jarvis posts some important advice that left leaning weloggers better take heed: “The best thing a supporter can do is push the guy you’re supporting to do better. So look at that from two perspectives: First, pushing Kerry to get out there more and excite voters with his stands. Second, pushing fellow liberals not to fall into the trap of extremism as Moore et al copy the tactics of Coulter et al.”
The fact that some people still don’t know John Kerry’s stands on the issues is a problem. The question: is it a problem of willful ignorance or not? Or is it that we are hard wired share negativity?
As Nicholas Kristof says in the NYTimes:
“the rush to sling mud is gaining momentum, and “Fahrenheit 9/11” marks the polarization of yet another form of media. One medium after another has found it profitable to turn from information to entertainment, from nuance to table-thumping.
Talk radio pioneered this strategy, then cable television. Political books have lately become as subtle as professional wrestling, and the Internet is adding to the polarization. Now, with the economic success of “Fahrenheit 9/11,” look for more documentaries that shriek rather than explain….
Mr. Bush got us into a mess by overdosing on moral clarity and self-righteousness, and embracing conspiracy theories of like-minded zealots. How sad that many liberals now seem intent on making the same mistakes.”
He’s right, but one thing is for sure: people vote for candidates who exemplify optimism and belief in America. So I hope the Bush campaign keeps going in the revealing direction it is in and the Kerry campaign not only stays the course, but pushes it harder. Kerry’s grassroots supporters (webloggers and those hitting the streets) need to get this straight and fast.