It's time for Kerry to make an explicit appeal to all these disaffected Republicans. He needs to make a laundry list of the traditional Republican values that Dubya has abandoned -- starting with fiscal responsibility, pay-as-you-go, open government, and right on down the list. He needs to look closely at those abandoning Bush and find the common ground they share with us. And then he needs to step out and make a heartfelt speech directly to traditional Republicans who feel betrayed by Bush.
Something along these lines:
Something along these lines (proposed Kerry speech):
I reach out today and appeal to Republicans -- to all of those traditional Republicans who find themselves thinking, "George Bush is not the conservative I voted for."
I ask you to lend us your vote this year, to join with us in our resolve to restore to our government the commonsense values that form the foundation of American greatness and prosperity. Fiscal responsibility. Pay-as-we-go. Fairness to all with favoritism to none. Honesty and openness in government. Opportunity and prosperity for those who will work for it. Respect and a fair shake both for those who create jobs and for those who work in them. And last but certainly not least: World leadership of a kind the world will actually follow.
Let us agree that these are not conservative or liberal values but American values. Help us rebuild a political landscape in which government proceeds from the responsible center and puts the good of the country above the good of any political party or partisan ideology. Help us create a new cross-party alliance of common sense, moderation, respect for our differences, and above all a commitment to find and build on common ground. Join us in these goals on November 2nd.
The future of our democracy is at stake. We cannot continue this ruinous deficit spending. We cannot continue exporting the jobs and prosperity that have made America great. We cannot continue to insult and alienate our long-standing allies. [One or two others.] And in this time of military peril, of economic peril, and of peril from fanatical terrorism, we cannot continue the smash-and-burn-the-opposition politics of deceit and division purveyed by the current administration.
I give you my word of honor that a Kerry administration will work across party lines with all who seek to advance these values. Let me be clear. We will not lie down for those who might seek to abuse or exploit our good will for the purpose of division. But to all those Republicans, inside Washington and elsewhere, who genuinely seek common ground and progress on issues where so many of us agree -- the deficit, jobs for Americans, [etc.] -- let me say this. I promise... I promise you that we will welcome you and will work together with you in good faith. We will not always agree but we will respect you and seek common ground with you. America has always moved forward by building common cause among disparate groups. And the time has come to get America moving forward again!
I ask you once again from my heart. Join us on November 2nd. Vote for change. A Kerry administration will represent all of America with honesty, respect, compassion, and a quest for common ground.
(end of proposed speech)
What say ye?