Posted on 07/28/2004 10:53:57 AM PDT by Vision Thing
Boston, Mass — On Tuesday night we learned that the Democrats think they have a problem on their hands and her name is Teresa. We didn't learn anything personal about John Kerry from his bride, the traditional job of the First Lady-in-waiting, because her speech was conceived and designed to reassure voters about her, not her husband. I think it's obvious that the problem to be addressed wasn't her reputation for being opinionated. My guess is that Democrats fear that her odd demeanor, accent, and foreign birth might be just a tad too exotic for Middle America.
The point of Tuesday night's speech was to introduce her to voters with the message that she loves America. Whether or not she loves John Kerry was less important. She only indirectly reinforced the message that John Kerry represents strength by prompting an audience to figure that being married to her might call for some fortitude.
With a short biography Teresa answered the question "Where the heck is she from?" When she talked about her first husband, her regard for her parents and her love for her family she was appealingly feminine. Of course, the litany of issues that she said John Kerry believes in seemed to be her own favorite causes, but it's not her fault that she's been persuaded she's a great thinker on global problems. It's the fate of the filthy rich to be indulged and flattered. And, they can't plausibly champion the need to speak truth to power. A billion dollars is power.
My guess is that Teresa is uncomfortably feminist. She was happily married to John Heinz and devoted herself to raising three sons. She is the product of a traditional culture and enjoyed a close relationship with her father. She has adopted the conventions of her class and new political party, but her bossiness seems to be of the maternal kind and her outspokenness is more flaky than feminist.
An off-message whiff of Teresa as global citizen was unhelpful to the overall intent of the speech. The multilingual riff in the beginning, the celebration of the Peace Corps (how must that have sounded to troops in Baghdad?) and the pledge to reverse global climate change missed the "bread-and-butter" mark.
One wonders how the introduction went over with the previously inattentive. They would no doubt think that she looks great for 65, but rich people are always better looking than the rest of us. (Well okay, not Teddy.) My guess is that someone might conclude she's oddly unexpressive and a little strange — but likeable.
O'Beirne Bump!
Exactamundo!
I wonder ... was the reason she spoke so slowly to tone down the accent?
Likeable?? Hardly. I find her terribly UNLIKEABLE, as well as trashy.
(snicker)
It was torture to listen to her talk down to me. Her monotone nearly put me to sleep. I thought hanoi john's monotone speech pattern was boring, but the two of them together is just to much to take.
I second that. would seem she is better suited to run as Luna's first mate in Brazil.
Did I understand it correctly that she is taking a lot of Valiums? Does anyone know if it is confirmed?
Kate, there is a problem, and it's called "PC." Most commentators, you, apparently included, can't state the obvious: Teresa is not "sexy" or "saucy." She's an old bag, and by the standards of the rich and desirable, she's in bad need of upkeep. She's condescending (as are all libs), she's confused (as are all libs), but she's a cheap version of Adrianna Huffington.
I wonder ... was the reason she spoke so slowly to tone down the accent?
It may be because of the accent.
Another reason: She thinks we're all dumb (which is the true subtext of this dem convention.)
One more reason: She was heavily medicated.
My guess is that she's got more hangups than a grade school coat closet.
Did Teresa really say 'screw you' to the Fox cameraman last night? I heard that on the radio this morning and don't know what to believe.
Maybe she's silenced at home or something.
Ms "Shove-It" is on some serious medication. She looks whacked to me. Well, she HAD to be on drugs to marry Hanoi John!
What is obvious is she didn't convince a single voter to support her husband last night. From the moment she "peeked" from behind the curtain, it became one of those bizzare political moments nobody will forget anytime soon.
Unless the goal was to convince average Americans that Terry Kerry is "ate up with the goofies" it has to be viewed as a disaster.
Teresa is very engaging in person. During her speech on Tuesday, she reminded me of the old, wooden Al Gore -- with a foreign accent.
Well, I find her likeable, but not for the obvious reasons.
She is likeable because she is a liability for the librats.
"If you have a strong stomach, read reactions to her speech at BBC Talking Point. Ugh!"
Also, participate in the poll, on the same page- would Teresa make a good 1st lady? It needs a bit of help...
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