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Posted on 07/30/2004 3:59:38 PM PDT by Libloather
Kerry's message stands strong in unsure times
By Margery Eagan
Recent Columns by Margery Eagan
Friday, July 30, 2004
If you came to the FleetCenter this week, polite but firm officers in crisp white shirts and tight black gloves instructed you to throw out sodas and coffee cups, then pawed through everything you carried, right down to twirling up your lipstick and sometimes, ``please step over here.'' Arms up. Metal detectors out.
The occasional German shepherd or photographer carrying a gas mask or policeman in riot gear. All this provided a daily, unsettling reminder. It's a different world now.
It was a reminder as well to Kerry's crew of a big problem: Polls still show that more than half the voters think George Bush, bungling and all, is the man more likely to keep us safe in this world.
And more than half of 20 delegates interviewed yesterday could understand why.
``Lots of people don't know Kerry well enough,'' said 76-year-old Diane Glasser, vice chairwoman of the Florida delegation, who admits, despite her position, she doesn't either.
``I don't know enough (about Kerry's positions on war and terrorism),'' said Kevin Coyle of Boston, 56, a retired teacher selling Kerry-Edwards buttons ($3) and T-shirts ($22) in the Fleet. Coyle said he reads two newspapers a day, ``but I need to hear him more.''
It was incredible, really, hearing people in donkey hats and Kerry-Edwards buttons (some as big as their heads) admit they'd come here from across America to nominate a man whose vision remains, even now, this fuzzy.
What John Kerry had to do last night? Straighten them out. Tell all of us more. He didn't, actually. Not all of it, or most of it, but mainly where he'd not take us. ``Never . . . to war because we want to, we only go to war because we have to.'' Yet he managed to tell us very little with a passion and eloquence that made it seem, at least, that he does know where he'd take us, too. He inspired no Bush-like nail-biting. He sounded like a president.
If you came to the FleetCenter this week, you know the Kerry theme. He's strong. Stronger. Strongest.
The Kerry photo gallery, a TV favorite: Lt. John Kerry gets Bronze Star. Kerry patrols Mekong Delta. Kerry on swiftboat in jungle, combat fatigues, great big gun resting casually on his thigh.
``A Stronger America,'' read the bright red banners flashing by the skyboxes. ``A Stronger America,'' read the seal on the podium where Kerry spoke last night.
What Kerry had to do last night? Seem strong enough to get us through this mess. That, he did. ``I will wage this war with the lessons I learned in war,'' John Kerry said, which sounded strong enough to me.
He was sweating like a ho in church. Effin' Kerry also mentioned something about a HUGE hair pollution problem. Anyone know what that is all about?
Boston Herald = "Kneepads of Record"
People who know him don't like him. I don't know him much, but what I have seen is disgusting. You know it is possible the Democrats simply selected an egotistical, wishy-washy, noneffective, jerk to run for president. You know that will happen when your only requirement is 'anyone but Bush'.
Sure, he's for saving the world's mice! (laughing)
As always, symbolism over substance. "Seeming" to be strong ain't being strong. But what the hell, it's the dems talking.
Strong. Yeah, like a bad clove of garlic.
"I will wage this war with the lessons I learned in war,"
Hitler thought the same thing about his WW1 experience, he saw more than four and a half months of combat.
All those lessons he learned in a short four months?
Have some more Kool-Aid, Marge.
"``I will wage this war with the lessons I learned in war,'' John Kerry said, which sounded strong enough to me."
Well, he's on record that the lessons he learned from the war is that the U.S. military at all levels of command" are "reminiscent of Genghis Khan", "chopping off heads, chopping off ears", "ravaging the countryside", and that we should pull out immediately and whip ourselves forever in our shame.
Are those the lessons you're thinking of that make you think he'll be "strong" on defense, genius?
Qwinn
Also, what "mess" is being referred to here? Bush has been cleaning up the mess left by Clinton -- leaving America vulnerable to attack, and a weakening economy. Stay the course!
That's a very telling comment. Because what F'in' learned was how to parlay a measley 3-1/2 months in a war zone into political opportunism.
Debra Saunders wrote an excellent column today arguing the Democrats really should have nominated Howard Dean. The energy and sense of purpose that drives a campaign forward happen when both the candidate AND the message are in sync. You don't get that synergism that's at the heart of a confident and winning campaign with John F*ckin.' He and his running mate voted FOR the Iraq War. Most of the Democratic delegates are AGAINST the war. Its weird but they ended up nominating a guy who embraces a position they're not in agreement with. In short, the Democrats sold out their cherished principles for the sake of winning. This is not a happy, unified party regardless of what their spin says. They can't even be who they are and they feel compelled to hide their real beliefs from the American people. Friends and Freepers, our opponents on the Left are running scared and we've got them right where we want them. On the ropes.
"HAIR POLLUTION"
Him and Eddy have been fighting over who gets the Hair Dresser first and Greenpeace is after them for all the hair spray that must be polluting the ozone in order to keep them so pretty looking.
Seriously, I find it appalling that the vain SOB had the foresite to have his 'moments' re-enacted.... Guess he saw PT109 one time to often...One wonders if HIS name was Heinz would he change it as JFK is much cuter thatn JFH...
I wonder how much the devil paid those crewmen to purchase their souls?:....From MY experience EM's normally didn't go for the hot dogging JO's-- before the fact --
I just haope the public isn't quite as dumb as it has appeared to be in the last couple of elections.
Agreed. After this last week, I can only agree with you. Now is the time to solidify the election in the Fall.
Where's the barf alert for this?
Boston Herald is anything but "kneepads of record", they are extremely anti-democrat. Eagan is one of their token liberals, but those kneepads are hers, not the papers, which regularly rails against Kerry on the editorial pages.
Check out, if you can, the front pages from the last week or two, then tell me these guys are anything except very pro-Bush.
(And check out their columnist Howie Carr.)
Kerry's ship is sailing......away
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