Notes to the opposition: E-Mail that's being sent to all DemocRats today....

e-Mail | 9/30/04 | MoveOn

[In The Defense of Liberty]

E-Mail #1

Dear MoveOn Member,

We strongly urge you to watch the debate tonight between John Kerry and George Bush. A lot of people will be tuned in, and their conclusion about who came out on top may seal their decision about who to vote for. They'll listen to you when you talk about this. If each of the 2.8 million MoveOn members watches these debates, and then gets out and promotes our candidate's positions, values and character, we could make all the difference. Your informed, personal endorsement of John Kerry carries more weight than you know.

Political operatives in Washington consistently ignore the most powerful force in politics -- word of mouth. But studies show, again and again, that the MOST trusted source of influence in politics is friends, family and colleagues. You can make a tremendous difference by recognizing the power of your own voice, and then actively talking about these debates and the coming election.

The debate tonight will be broadcast at 9pm ET, on most major networks.

If you do watch the debate, don't be surprised that George Bush does OK. These debates are highly scripted and Bush does fine with scripts. However, John Kerry has the most to gain from these debates, because this is really the first time most Americans will see him in action. This is the first time they'll see the two men side by side, as peers.

After the debate, get out and talk about what you liked about John Kerry's performance. When you talk to your friends, family, and the people at work, the most powerful way to talk about political issues and about the candidates is to tell a story about values and character.

George Lakoff, Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, has done some interesting work in connecting how people respond to political issues within a values framework. He encourages progressives to go beyond the bare facts surrounding issues to the core values that make these issues important in the first place. (He's written a great book on the topic -- see below for details.)

As Lakoff would say, there are important shared values at stake in this election -- values shared by every American. George Bush doesn't embody these values, and John Kerry does.

Here are some examples of how to frame John Kerry in terms of the American values he represents:

• John Kerry will work for all Americans, not just rich Americans. He embodies the values of fairness and opportunity.

• John Kerry will bring us together to move forward, not pull us apart for political gain. He embodies the values of community and patriotism.
• John Kerry believes in working with our allies around the world, not going it alone. He embodies the values of community and shared security.
• John Kerry has fought for truth telling. He won't lie to us. He embodies the values of honesty and openness.
• John Kerry will focus us on the real challenges that face us, instead of using fear to manipulate us. He embodies the values of courage and integrity.

The way a candidate embodies these values makes up the candidate's character. And in the end, people don't vote their interests, they vote character. George Bush is a reckless and stubborn man, who has consistently misled the country. This is a character statement. George Bush doesn't have what it takes to be a successful President. John Kerry is fair, thoughtful, honest, smart and courageous. That's why he will be the next President of the United States.

We've posted a number of resources that can help you flesh out your case for Kerry below. And while we're on the topic of persuading people to vote, today we're launching the sixth ad in our "10 Weeks" countdown to the election. This week's ad is a beautifully shot ad by director Marty Callner which features actress Rebecca Romijn winning over a Republican voter. You'll get a kick out of it. You can watch the ad now at:

http://www.moveonpac.org/10weeks/

But the most important thing is for you to watch the debate tonight and be sure to engage your friends, family, and colleagues. Tell them why you're voting for John Kerry. If we all do it, it'll put us over the top.

Thanks for everything you do,

--Adam, Eli, Hannah, James, Laura, and the whole MoveOn PAC Team
  Thursday, September 30th, 2004

P.S. One final note: In most persuasive conversations an effective way to persuade someone is to first listen to their concerns. What issues are most important to the person you are talking to? Once you understand this person’s concerns and the values you share, you‘ll be better able to show them why they should vote for change. People who feel listened to are more apt to be receptive to your point of view.

Resources

For a great summary of how to frame political issues in terms of values, we highly recommend George Lakoff's most recent book, Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate. You can read a sample chapter of his book at:
http://www.chelseagreen.com/images/DTE_Sampler.pdf

And you can buy it online at Amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931498717/qid=1096558621/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-8620916-1892802

If you feel like you still don't know enough about who John Kerry is to do him justice, the folks at TruthOut have posted a terrific article that gives an overview of the man and his accomplishments. Check it out at: http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/093004A.shtml

The folks at udecide.org have assembled eight great flyers, with key facts on homeland security, Iraq, jobs, health, environment, debt and education. For another great resource, as you're looking for facts to connect to these values, go to:
http://www.udecide.org

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

---

E-Mail #2

Dear XXXX XXXXXXX, Tonight, don't let George Bush's henchmen steal another victory. We need your online help immediately after the debate, so save this email, print it out, and have it ready with you as you watch the first Presidential debate tonight. We all know what happened in 2000. Al Gore won the first debate on the issues, but Republicans stole the post-debate spin. We are not going to let that happen again, and you will play a big role. Immediately after the debate, we need you to do three things: vote in online polls, write a letter to the editor, and call in to talk radio programs. Your 10 minutes of activism following the debate can make the difference. Vote National and local news organizations will be conducting online polls during and after the debate asking for readers' opinions. Look for online polls at these national news websites, and make sure to vote in every one of them: ABC News: http://www.abcnews.com/ CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/ CNN: http://www.cnn.com/ Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/ MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.com/ USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/ And be sure to check the websites of your local newspapers and TV stations for online polls. It is crucial that you do this in the minutes immediately following the debate. Write Immediately after the debate, go online and write a letter to the editor of your local paper. If you feel John Kerry commanded the debate and had a clear plan for fixing the mess in Iraq, put it in your letter. If you feel George Bush dodged tough questions on Iraq and didn't level with voters, put it in your letter. With just a few clicks, you can write your letter at our online media center: http://www.democrats.org/media/ Call Do you listen to national or local call-in shows on the radio? How about on TV? Call them and let them know what you thought of John Kerry's plan to keep America secure and George Bush's continuing refusal to admit the truth about his record. Here are some national shows to get you started. (All times are Eastern.) Air America (all day): 646-274-2346 Alan Colmes (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.): 212-301-5900 Ed Shultz (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.): 701-232-1525 Bev Smith (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.): 412-325-4197 Doug Stephen (5 a.m. 10 a.m.): 1-800-510-8255 Find shows in your area on our media website: http://www.democrats.org/media/find.html Your actions immediately after the debate tonight can help John Kerry win on November 2. Make your voice heard! Don't forget to visit our 2004 Debate Center before, during, and after the debate for important information, including questions Bush must answer, a Bush/Kerry contrast on keeping America safe, and Bush Debate Bingo, a game you can play with friends during the debate. http://www.democrats.org/debates/ And after the debate, check your email for a very special message. Thank you, Terry McAuliffe Chairman PS: Make sure to forward this email to at least 10 other people who will be watching the debate. Also, give printed out copies to your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors and get them involved.

[In The Defense of Liberty]

Just letting you all know what the opposition is up to tonight. Forewarned it forearmed.

[RippleFire]

bump

[In The Defense of Liberty]

Apologies on the links, folks.. this came via Hotmail and so they got screwed up... but you all know them anyway, and I doubt you're gonna want to visit the Demonic Rat sites anyway.

[jern]

I just don't understand why the RNC hasn't sent anything out like this...

[Truth Table]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1231762/posts

Debatefacts.com


The dems are behind the times.

[Truth Table]

http://www.georgewbush.com/debatefacts/debate.aspx

[JrAsparagus]

That made me sick.

Values, how about the morning after pill for someones daughter without the parent's consent or knowledge value.

[siunevada]

"there are important shared values at stake in this election -- values shared by every American. George Bush doesn't embody these values, and John Kerry does.

Here are some examples of how to frame John Kerry in terms of the American values he represents:

He embodies the values of fairness and opportunity.

He embodies the values of community and patriotism.

He embodies the values of community and shared security.

He embodies the values of honesty and openness.

He embodies the values of courage and integrity."

Golly, what strong talking points. This section could have been headlined How To Lie About John Kerry.

[meyer]

It looks to me like they already know that Kerry is going to lose the debate, but they want their desciples to claim victory anyway.

[Desron13]

"Immediately after the debate, we need you to do three things: vote in online polls..."

OK Freepers, I think we all know what to do about this tactic.

[Legion04]

They need to add the suggestion of not only to WATCH the debate tonight, but also to PAY ATTENTION to what's being said. Obviously, they haven't paid attention to anything said at the RNC convention otherwise kerry wouldn't have any supporters left!

[Truth Table]

That link takes you to a live debate link. Copy and post what you see there, and e-mail the same locations in the topic post with the facts.

Quick precise analysis already there, ready for mass distribution.




http://www.georgewbush.com/debatefacts/debate.aspx

[tsmith130]

They'll listen to you when you talk about this.

No I won't.

[In The Defense of Liberty]

REMEMBER FOLKS - VOTE, WRITE, and CALL. The opposition will be doing it.. it's imperative that we do the same!

[DRILL SGT. D]

PING for later use

[Edgerunner]

Give the wee bots there orders, wipe their noses, and turn 'em loose!

[MplsSteve]

Damn straight!

I'm gonna miss part of the debate but rest assured, I'll be do a Freep job on any on-line poll I see.

[Not A Snowbird]

Good. All MoveOn members should be FORCED to sit and listen to 90 minutes of John Kerry. Their tiny little heads will explode.

[In The Defense of Liberty]

REMEMBER FOLKS - AFTER TONIGHT'S DEBATE...

VOTE, WRITE, and CALL.

The opposition will be doing it..

it's imperative that we do the same!