(Oct. 18) -- Two weeks until Election Day and the battle for your vote continues. Both the Bush and Kerry campaigns acknowledge they are tweaking their messages as they look to reach out to undecided voters in southern Nevada.
To date, much of the campaign discussion has focused on the war in Iraq. But with Election Day drawing near, both campaigns are working to broaden their message, hoping to reach more voters. The election may now boil down to a specific set of issues, including abortion.
At Saint John Neumann Catholic Church in North Las Vegas, parishioners found a flyer on their car from National Right To Life, urging them to vote for President Bush and against John Kerry.
Kerry reaffirmed his pro-choice stance during last Wednesday's debate in Arizona. "I believe that choice is a woman's choice, between a woman, God and her doctor."
By Thursday, President Bush made it a campaign issue during a rally in Las Vegas. "He voted against the ban on the brutal practice of partial birth abortions."
Both Bush and Kerry are trending away from the war debate intentionally; looking to broaden their message and connect with more voters.
Tracey Schmitt is with the Bush-Cheney campaign. "They understand the clear contrast between the President and John Kerry on national security and the war on terror, but there's 16 days left and we think its important that Americans understand and know exactly where President Bush stands and exactly where John Kerry stands on the broad diverse range of issues facing our country."
The new primary issues of this campaign are the old ones of previous campaigns -- health care, social security, and the economy. But everything old is new again, as voters look for the candidate who is going to benefit them.
Sean Smith is with the Kerry-Edwards campaign. "Voters are starting to see -- what are you going to do for me here on the ground? Are you going to provide better health care, more jobs, higher wages, equal pay. Those are the types of issues voters are looking at right now."
This change in message is crucial in Nevada. With early voting now underway, the campaigns have to send clear messages. Election Day isn't really 16 days away. Election Day is right now.
Both campaigns are already spinning their respective changes in message. The Bush campaign says touching on more issues benefits the President, claiming he has a better, well-rounded understanding of these issues. The Kerry camp claims Bush's record on health care and the economy will benefit them.
