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Bush family operatives have done effective demolition jobs on two Democratic presidential candidates, Michael Dukakis and Al Gore. The anti-Dukakis campaign was pure ideology. He was a Massachusetts liberal, a "card-carrying member of the A.C.L.U." He was soft on crime; he opposed the Pledge of Allegiance. The anti-Gore campaign was pure character. The Vice President was a phony who couldn't even figure out what to wear--remember earth tones? He was a liar, an exaggerator--remember how he invented the Internet? He was "uncomfortable in his skin." The anti-Kerry campaign will be a little bit of both, but the real emotional traction will involve character more than ideology. Oh, Kerry will be called a Massachusetts liberal; assorted Kerry votes and sound bites will be summoned to prove that he is a spendthrift pacifist. But "liberal" is an ancient epithet whose power has waned in recent years, and Kerry's votes to limit defense spending will be forgiven if he seems solid, moderate and strong--as he has through the primary season.
Which is why the real energy will be spent proving that Kerry isn't solid or strong, that he is, in fact, effete and unreliable. His tendency to surround an issue and talk it to death using fancy language will be Exhibit A. (George W. Bush will play at sounding like Clint Eastwood to drive home the contrast.) As for Exhibit B, the Republican National Committee gave a sneak preview last week, e-mailing to reporters a quote from Teresa Heinz Kerry about her husband: "You know, I say he's like a good wine. You know, it takes time to mature, and then it gets really good and you can sip it. I think he's at that stage now."
Why, you might ask, would the Republicans distribute something so innocuous? Because it implies the Heinz Kerrys are wine drinkers. They probably eat quiche too. Early in the campaign, Kerry committed the abomination of ordering Swiss cheese instead of Cheez Whiz for his Philly cheesesteak--that's almost as grievous as asking for a "splash" of coffee, as Bush the Elder once did. (Bush the Younger has been careful to let us know that he favors bologna sandwiches.) Furthermore, John Kerry speaks fluent French. It is no accident that a White House staffer once said, "He looks French." The Heinz Kerrys hang out on Nantucket and in Sun Valley, Idaho. They don't own a ranch or cut scrub with a chainsaw. He often shows up at Davos. He went to a fancy private school in Switzerland. He and Teresa met at a global-warming conference, for God's sake! He wears pastel Hermes ties--a pink one at his Wisconsin victory celebration. And this guy calls himself an American!