Rove to Kerry: Bush Is Used to Failing Tests

John,

After you wiped the floor with "W" in the first debate, it is of absolute no surprise that he came out swinging with oversimplified catch-phrases, which his minions then repeat ad-infinitum.

As you well know, the newest catch-phrase is the "global test" that your supposed doctrine would adhere to before taking any action overseas. This, of course, plays right into his spin that you are too much of an internationalist to be trusted with America's security.

Here's your strategy: Do not deny it, qualify it, or describe it. John, you need to think like an Aikido Master: Embrace the charge, and re-direct the momentum of the charge back at him.

As popular as W's pithy catch phrases are, you can leverage their popularity by turning them right back against him:

"President Bush has said that in my administration, the United States would have to pass "a global test" before we could defend ourselves. You know, I'm not really surprised that he's against a global test... [jokingly] some say he was never very good at tests.

But in all seriousness, of course he's against a global test. After all, he has already failed the global test of the war with Iraq. How has he failed, you ask? Well, you already know the answer: He rushed to war without a plan to win the peace, and he snubbed many long-standing allies in the process.

President Bush has failed the global test, and America is now paying the price. He failed the test because he didn't study. He failed the test because he thought he already knew the answers. He failed the test because he fails to understand that America is a leader in the world -- not alone in the world. He failed the test because he fails to understand that nowadays, there's more to winning a war than showing our military might in battle and then simply handing back sovereignty. Going to war in today's world requires more planning, demanding better intelligence, and more understanding of what makes the world 'tick.'

So, yes, there is a global test. He just doesn't like any test that he can't pass."

Just like in my previous tip, we're tying in some negative historical impressions of "W" and weaving them into the current debate. Everyone figures that he didn't do too well in school. So, we're going to take that assumption and tattoo it on him, because it will stick.

This is just one example of Aikido Campaigning... turning W's campaign energy into your campaign advantage.