Rove to Kerry: Making the Smirk Work
John,
"W" has been very effective in getting his crowds energized by poking fun at your alleged changes in position on Iraq. We all watched his trademark smirk as he poked fun at your latest statements about the Iraq disaster.
There are two things you need to remember about this:
1. They're watching your every word and responding with jokes because you're setting the agenda now. Nice job. That smirk? It means he's insecure. It's also a weakness that you can exploit.
2. You need to firmly attach your positions to those of the majority of Americans who are also very worried about the war. When you criticize the war, speak for yourself and all concerned Americans. Put Americans on your side, and when he smirks and pokes fun at your statement, he'll be smirking and poking fun at all concerned Americans.
Instead of saying "I believe this President has put this country on dangerous footing," try bringing Americans into your statement:
Instead of saying "I gave the President authority to go to war, but I do not approve with how he went to war," bring Americans to your side:
Instead of "I believe your Iraq policy has been an utter failure," try bringing Americans into your critique:
Instead of saying "I have a plan to get America back on track in Iraq," speak for the Americans that you are looking to lead:
When you attach yourself to Americans in your attacks, "W" will either lose the ability to poke fun at your criticisms, or he will insult millions of Americans by downplaying their concerns.
Make the smirk work...for you.
"W" has been very effective in getting his crowds energized by poking fun at your alleged changes in position on Iraq. We all watched his trademark smirk as he poked fun at your latest statements about the Iraq disaster.
There are two things you need to remember about this:
1. They're watching your every word and responding with jokes because you're setting the agenda now. Nice job. That smirk? It means he's insecure. It's also a weakness that you can exploit.
2. You need to firmly attach your positions to those of the majority of Americans who are also very worried about the war. When you criticize the war, speak for yourself and all concerned Americans. Put Americans on your side, and when he smirks and pokes fun at your statement, he'll be smirking and poking fun at all concerned Americans.
Instead of saying "I believe this President has put this country on dangerous footing," try bringing Americans into your statement:
"Millions of concerned Americans like me believe that George Bush has put this country on dangerous footing."
Instead of saying "I gave the President authority to go to war, but I do not approve with how he went to war," bring Americans to your side:
"I think most Americans agree with me: We think the President should have the authority to go to war, but we also think that the President should take full responsibility for his successes and failures when he uses that authority."
Instead of "I believe your Iraq policy has been an utter failure," try bringing Americans into your critique:
"I represent Americans who believe you have failed in Iraq. In fact, your own intelligence department believes Iraq is failing. If Iraq is central to the war on terror, then the war on terror is also failing!"
Instead of saying "I have a plan to get America back on track in Iraq," speak for the Americans that you are looking to lead:
"America has spoken, and I have listened: Vote for Kerry/Edwards, because we will work tirelessly to get America back on track in Iraq."
When you attach yourself to Americans in your attacks, "W" will either lose the ability to poke fun at your criticisms, or he will insult millions of Americans by downplaying their concerns.
Make the smirk work...for you.
posted by Jon a.k.a. "Our Karl Rove" at 11:59 AM
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