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JOHN KERRY. YES.
It's easy to forget, amid the frustration with his weak-kneed 2004 campaign, that John Kerry is actually a very talented politician. He is offering up exactly what this convention has been missing. Strong linkages between McCain and Bush. Humor. And a great refrain that has become a call and response with the audience. "Who can we trust to keep America safe? Barack Obama!"
Kerry continued, "How pathetic to suggest that those who question a failed policy doubt America itself? How desperate to tell the son of a single mother who chose community service over money and privilege that he doesn't put America first?"
Now a tribute to Obama's (very white!) World War II vet uncle, who liberated a concentration camp and is here at the Pepsi Center tonight.
It's easy to see why so many Democrats believed Kerry's life story as a Vietnam vet who came home to protest the war would be a winner. A shame that it wasn't.
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (5)
It's too bad that he followed Bill Clinton because that was an awesome speech by Kerry.
Note to politicians: The difference between a good and a great speech? Passion. Show some, preferably lots.
Posted by: Obamanaut | August 27, 2008 9:59 PM
It was a truthful, passionate and hard hitting speech. And, yes I think it was much better than Clinton's. Unfortunately, the media didn't catch on to how good Senator Kerry's speech was right away, there is still this wrong notion that Senator Kerry doesn't deliver good speeches and that notion is just plain wrong.
Posted by: Margaret | August 27, 2008 11:31 PM
Too bad the only place you could see it was on CSPan.
Posted by: Jon Parker | August 28, 2008 8:52 AM
Now, now, you could also see it on PBS. NBC had to make those dollars with America's Next Top Fool.
Posted by: Josh R. | August 28, 2008 9:38 AM
"How pathetic to suggest that those who question a failed policy doubt America itself?"
I don't know, but that sort of defensiveness doesn't seem to be limited to the Republican Party.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 28, 2008 11:51 AM