GOP Launches "Outside Southern Values" Campaign Against Kerry

"The portrait that emerges is that Kerry, on every issue — economic, national security and values — is out of the mainstream in the South and, I would argue, nationally," said Ralph Reed, the Southeast regional chairman for Bush's reelection campaign.

Throughout most of his political career, Kerry also has tried to ground himself in the cultural mainstream by emphasizing his experiences as a prosecutor in Massachusetts and, above all, a combat veteran in Vietnam.

Ed Kilgore, policy director at the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, said Kerry should focus on using his life story to convince voters he shares their values, rather than trying to rebut GOP charges on specific issues.

"He needs to project a cultural mainstream point of view … and reassure voters that even if they don't agree with him point by point, he shares their basic values and respects their point of view," Kilgore said.

Perhaps the most frequent response from Kerry on social issues, though, is to portray them as a diversion from economic concerns. His campaign struck that note Thursday.

"John Kerry is going to connect with Southern voters on kitchen-table issues," said Chad Clanton, a Kerry spokesperson. "George Bush can't even see the problems they are facing down South … the job losses, the skyrocketing healthcare costs, the rising college tuition costs and the stagnant wages that have put middle-class families in a world of hurt."