Posted by Brad @ 9:44 pm on August 27th 2008

John Kerry thread

Wow, an Obama-centric speech for a change!

Post your thoughts here (I have to run between rooms).

posted in: Main

6 Comments »

  1. Oh, it’s over.

    Comment by Brad — 8/27/2008 @ 9:46 pm

  2. I missed half of it to put up the liveblog thread!

    Obama-centric, and the first hints of push-back against the Republican “America love it or leave it” trope, which is what I liked about Kerry in 2004 (and Kerry as a historical figure, for that matter). That might set up Biden well if he goes for the throat with his speech. The first speech yet that doesn’t fit James’ mold of unimpressive people either running for office or re-election. Also, they gave him a time limit, which is a good idea.

    A-. About as perfect a niche for Kerry as you could find. About patriotism, about Obama, about 6 minutes long.

    Comment by Brad — 8/27/2008 @ 9:48 pm

  3. I agree that he did well.

    James thinks I’m wrong.

    Comment by Liz — 8/27/2008 @ 9:54 pm

  4. Want me to cut him?

    I agree that Kerry isn’t the most captivating of speakers (and as I said, not sure how many weren’t hitting the bar at that moment). But Kerry did what he’s good at here. He was commanding, and he went right at the Republican war machine. He had credibility on that in 2004 (from his Vietnam days). Ironically, he has even more now. His falling on the sword of negative personal patriotism in 2004 was not lost on Democratic partisans who were listening, and amplified his message, which was already pretty good.

    Let’s face it, Kerry is not going to make the highlight reel. But he did his duty. More an appetizer than anything, but a solid one. That’s as good a Kerry as you’re going to get (insert Adam’s “damning with faint praise” here).

    Comment by Brad — 8/27/2008 @ 10:02 pm

  5. No need, but thanks for the offer:)

    Kerry is what he is and he did his job. PLus he actually talked about the current campaign, not about himself which seems to be a novelty thus far.

    Comment by Liz — 8/27/2008 @ 10:06 pm

  6. Kerry’s best speeches, alas, are when he is admitting defeat (such as in 2004 or when he abandoned his quest for the nomination this time around). Other than his real career highlight, which was his testimony to Congress about Vietnam (which, ironically, appeared to motivate a lot of the attacks against him in 2004).

    Comment by Adam — 8/28/2008 @ 7:17 am

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