Posted on 07/27/2004 6:16:15 AM PDT by crushkerry
Yeah, we know. Those of us that have been sentenced to watch this charade - us unfortunates that must report on it or lost a bet- just want to scream “Lie!” at out our TV and smack some sense into these folks.
But don’t waste your breath or tear your hair out. Think positive. Tonight’s performances could be the best thing that’s happened to the President’s reelection chances in quite a while. It’s the best they could have hoped for and if not for the empty rhetorical flair of a chubby chasing old man it would have been a banner night for the GOP.
Rather than go through the lies one by one, which would take time and bandwidth we simply do not have, let’s examine tonight’s major speakers and why, for the most part, they’re so helpful to the Bush administration.
The first major speaker was certified nut job Al Gore whose original speech was, in a rare moment of good sense, torn up by the Kerry campaign. What do most people remember about Al Gore? He’s a bitter loser who has gone of the deep end in the last few years, calling Republicans “brownshirts” and accusing Bush of “betraying the American people” and being a “moral coward“.
In his speech, he claimed he didn’t want to dwell on the past, but he did so for the balance of the speech. And Al’s meds must not have kicked in all the way because he sounded like Alvin the Chipmunk at 78 RPM. Further, it was obvious from his tempo that these were not his words, but rather, those written for him. As much as he tried to avoid seeming bitter about Florida 2000, he both began and ended his speech with Florida references instead of extolling the virtues of the Johns. In between was the standard Democratic fare of the Iraq war being unnecessary (would people be better off with Saddam?), environmental psychobabble (shouldn’t we all be dead from global warming by now?).
Grade for helping Kerry: C+ For reviving the bitterness in the faithful over Florida.
Grade for helping Bush: B. For the same reasons.
Perhaps the best bit of luck for George W. Bush was the next speaker - failed President Jimmy Carter. Why in God’s name this symbol of weakness and malaise was chosen to bolster Kerry’s national security credentials is beyond us. It is clear that this was the only speech not vetted by the Kerry camp, as it’s hard to believe that they would have put a leash on Gore, but not on the dictator-loving Peanut Farmer.
His speech was perhaps the most bitter anti-Bush screed delivered this side of Michael Moore. In trying to be too-cute-by-half he never mentioned Bush’s name. But he did reference the loony left theories of Bush the Deserter and Bush the Liar. (Did he forget that Kerry thought the same things Bush did on the WMD issue?) Apparently he also lives in a world where everyone is in fear of the police and FBI and think that preemptive war is undesirable in all circumstances. And in his own little fantasy world, we are less safe.
However, most puzzling and jaw-dropping was his lecturing us on how Bush has not kept us safe. This from a man who is the living embodiment of the consequences of appeasement. Did he think people would forget hostages, the Commies invading Afghanistan and moving into Central America and Africa on observing the weakness of Jimmy Carter? And in a “Did he just say that?” moment, Carter chided Bush on the dangers of North Korea. Um, wasn’t he the one who pushed Bill Clinton into signing the deal with these devils, which they promptly broke.
Grade for helping Kerry: F. There is a reason this guy was radioactive to his own party for 24 years. While the Johns may secretly desire it, the Carter wish for a United States supplicant to the UN is not going to help them win. Screw the speeches at the GOP convention next month. Just rerun this one.
Grade for helping Bush: A+. Nothing says “Democrats are Weak and Inept on National Security” than a Jimmy Carter speech. Even the French would look strong next to him, but in another bonehead move he was seated next to Michael Moore during Clinton‘s speech. And did he really lay the blame for the Palestinian problem at the feet of President Bush as opposed to the terrorist Arafat and his cronies?
The Belle of the Ball Hillary Clinton was next up to introduce the former Philanderer in Chief. We can sum her up in 4 words - “Nails on a Chalkboard”. The substance was fairly harmless and predictable (although she thinks police and firefighters are the ones to fight terrorism), but there is just something about her voice that makes you reach for the mute button. She really doesn’t want Kerry to win, and judging by the orgasmic looks from the crowd - neither do they.
Grade for Helping Kerry and Bush: A wash. The lefties love her and everyone else hates her. Only a wash because she didn't stay up there long enough for the hate to reach full boil.
Finally, the disbarred and impeached former President Bill Clinton wrapped up the evening, doing his best to finish before the 11 o’clock news - failing of course. It was typical Clinton. He decried division in America then proceeded to bash Bush, for among other things the Kyoto Treaty (rejected 95-0 by the Senate), the ICC, the ABM and other alphabet soup treaties loved by the UN.
He then ran down the laundry list of issues (even working “gang violence” into it) and said why Kerry would be better. Substitute “me” for “John Kerry” and it’s a regurgitation of a standard-fare Clinton State of the Union Speech.
Strangely he always seems to remind people how rich he is and how much he’s benefited from the Bush tax cuts while us poor schleps are left holding the bag. Hey Bill, here’s an idea - if it’s so bad send that money back to Uncle Sam.
All that being said, we do have a grudging admiration for him as a politician. He can hold people in the palm of his hand during speeches, and he did so during this one. Having personally seen him in action, met him and shaken his hand (a long story for another day) I can attest to the fact that the he could charm just about anyone and get you thinking he’s not a bad guy who seems pretty reasonable. We’re sure this speech will be lauded tomorrow by everyone, not as much for its substance, but for its style and delivery. And you know what, they’d be right. This was an oratorical master at work. However, ……
Grade for Helping Kerry C+ at best. The problem for John Boy is that he pales in comparison. He’s a horrid speechmaker compared to an 8th grader, but when you put these two side by side he’s a piker. What he did not want after this convention was over was a longing for the “good old day” of a person who can inspire not only them but independents and moderates. These people will be walking out Thursday ruing the fact that they’re stuck with this clown when Bush is vulnerable.
Grade for helping Bush C. We hate to say it, but in style Clinton beats the President. And Clinton didn’t come off as shrill as Al Gore or Jimmy, but optimistic, and to the untrained ear didn’t sound negative. Still, when the glaze wears off people we think people will see the contrast between someone who sounds like a leader, and someone who acts like one. 9/11 clearly highlighted the end result of the Clintonesque "policy" of looking the other way and avoiding tough choices and confronting evil versus the Bush model of making the tough decisions that will hurt in the short run but make us safer not only today, but 20 years from now.
So, we’re not as concerned about the effect of this speech as much as we would be if it were delivered the night before election day when people would not have a chance to reflect on just how wide the gap was between what Clinton says and what he does. And let’s be honest don’t’ you think Clinton and the delegates felt a bit uncomfortable when he talked about “American values”?
Great analysis ping! Looking forward to your inputs on the subsequent events!
I think every day of the convention will help Bush.
"We hate to say it, but in style Clinton beats the President."
Clinton is not a good speaker. Winston Churchill is a good speaker. Clinton is an evangelist or carnie barker.
Well, the Dims are an ideological freak show.
Perhaps not historically, but in these times he passes for one.
Jimmy Carter rarely, if ever, gets to speak at a democrat convention ... now we know why ... he's pathetic.
Yet, the floor of the DNC convention was just mesmerized. In other words, DNC delegates have the aggregate analytical power of the OJ jury. They are desperate for abuse. If I was a carnival hypnotist, I'd pick democrats as subjects.
Next week, not even one in 10 of them will be able to tell you what he said.
Well, it WOULD be, if anybody was watching. When the convention is over, and Kerry goes "dark" for a month, this is probably the biggest "bump" he will get in the polls. So long as he is largely out of sight, no negatives show. For the majority of the public, should they be watching the Democrat National Convention, they would indeed be turned off. But the vast majority did NOT watch, and those who did, will have forgotten long before November 2nd, 2004.
Clinton is a great speaker. He can talk about anything. What makes him completely forgettable is that, unlike Churchill, he has no thoughts. He's just trying to stay at the podium long enough to shoot the beavers in the front row.
Ping
Slick Willie and his Traveling Snake Oil Show.
"but there is just something about her voice that makes you reach for the mute button."
Exaclty - just saw Hillary on FOX. Didn't want to hear her tortured spin so I muted here. Only interest in watching her was to wonder if she'd look to "haggish" to mount a campaing in 4 years. Have to admit she looks decent and will be a serious problem in 2008 - barring some scandal that the NYT can't get away with ignoring.
Good analysis, fair and balanced......(grin)
I completely agree about Carter, that wasn't the smartest move by the DNC putting him on last night. They should have hid him tonight, when the shrinking three media outlets (ABCCBSNBC) won't be airing the convention. You can't help but be reminded of weakness, both in terms of action and in terms of spirit when you see Jimmy Carter. I know I can't forget the humiliation he brought to us in 48 long months. I can't forget 20% inflation, unemployment through the roof, and the feeling we were leaderless for the first time in a century or more. And I can't forget Jimmy Carter was attempting to extend the retirement requirements for our military personel by 10 years right up to the day the hostages in Iran were seized.
Gore obviously didn't write that speech. Nuff said.
Hillary Clinton demonstrated EXACTLY why she will never survive a primary run for the DNC nomination, let alone get to the general election as anything other than a VP....and I don't think her ego will let her accept that position. She's a terrible public speaker, ironically her husbands performance served very nicely to demonstrate that.
Finally, Bill Clinton. While he's speaking, he does keep your attention, can't deny it. But afterwards, for some reason you feel just a tad dirty....kinda like watching a porno movie with the lights turned low, then the lights come up and everybody is just a bit red faced. Bottom line is Sandy Berger failed to hide four possible actions that would have ended the threat of Osama bin Laden. Guess Marc Rich's anger was more of a threat to the Clintonites, eh?
I think last night is going to be viewed as the highwater mark of the DNC convention folks. And thats very bad for the John John's.
Sorry, have to disagree. Clinton is a great speaker. The difference between Churchill and Clinton is content - namely, Churchill had it, Clinton doesn't. Clinton is blessed with remarkable rhetorical gifts, and has a genuine talent for shrinking a room. Because of that, he can make inane or otherwise stupid ideas sound innocuous by burying them in elaborate, eloquent speeches, mired in messages about the goodness of man, the need to coordinate international efforts and such.
Hanity has termed this the "Reinvention Convention".methin ks it's more like the "Stepford convention"...including the Mikulski haranue..
I got the feeling that Clintons speech was just a "fill in the blank" for anyone, I was unimpressed.
The convention is turning into a dream, with such gems as the umpa-loompa photo op, the pitch that missed the plate, and the shove it comment... I cant wait to see what happens tonight.
(Word is, that the National Guardsman who was catching, was supposed to pitch, and Kerry bumped him... you might want to look into that, you have ways of digging through the dirt to find the truth)
Absolutely not, to those people gay marriage is a family value. protecting pornographers is the reason for the first amendment--as well as suppression of religion at every opportunity. The second amendment was written to protect the government FROM the people. C*nt jokes are the "heart and soul" of America. Abortion is sacred and capitol punishemnt an abomination.
You see, in liberal la la land, black is white, up is down, good is bad, sweet is sour, etc. etc.
Which is why reason and truth will never sway the democratic base.
Clinton is a good speaker. He is engaging and he makes you think he is talking to you. I can not stand the guy as a politician but I would love to hang out with him for a day.
The booze, broads and blow you could get!!!! WooooooHooooo!
Wouldn't everyone here like to hand out on his porch and drink beers with Bubba? I sure would.
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