What it Means to be a Democrat: Mario Cuomo's Rousing 1992 DNC Speech/ Parts 1-4

[KoKo]

Mario Cuomo gives an amazing speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In nominating Bill Clinton, he also laid down the party platform (which many Democrats seem to forget these days). This speech is even more relevant today.

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Cuomo Nominates Clinton 1992 - Part 2
Uploaded on Oct 22, 2006
Part 2 of 4. Mario Cuomo gives an amazing speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In nominating Bill Clinton, he also laid down the party platform (which many Democrats seem to forget these days). This speech is even more relevant today.

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Cuomo Nominates Clinton 1992 - Part 3
Mario Cuomo gives an amazing speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In nominating Bill Clinton, he also laid down the party platform (which many Democrats seem to forget these days). This speech is even more relevant today.

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Cuomo Nominates Clinton 1992 - Part 4
Mario Cuomo gives an amazing speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In nominating Bill Clinton, he also laid down the party platform (which many Democrats seem to forget these days). This speech is even more relevant today.

[RufusTFirefly]

1. One of my favorite speeches ever. An absolutely brilliant demonstration of rhetorical jiujitsu

Notice how Cuomo takes something that was arguably one of George "Poppy" Bush's strengths and skillfully redirects it to drive core Democratic ideals:

Ladies and gentlemen, a year ago in this great city, led by our great mayor, Mayor David Dinkins, we had a great parade in New York City to celebrate the return of our armed forces from the Persian Gulf. I am sure you had one, too. But as joyous as those parades were, I'd like to march with you in a different kind of celebration -- one, regrettably, that we cannot hold yet.

I'd like to march with our behind President Bill Clinton through cities and rural villages where all the people have safe streets, affordable housing, and health care when they need it. I want to clap my hands and throw my fists in the air, cheering neighborhoods where children can be children, where they can grow up and get the chance to go to college, and one day own their own home. I want to sing proud songs, happy songs, arm in arm with workers who have a real stake in their company's success; who once again have the assurance that a lifetime of hard work will make life better for their children than it had been for them. I want to march behind President Bill Clinton in a victory parade that sends up fireworks, celebrating the triumph of our technology centers and factories, out-producing and out-selling our overseas competitors. I want to march with you knowing that we are selecting justices to the Supreme Court who are really qualified to be there.

And justices who understand the basic American right of each individual to make his or her own private moral and religious judgments. I want to look around and feel the warmth, the pride, the profound gratitude of knowing that we are making America surer, stronger, and sweeter. I want to shout out our thanks because President Bill Clinton has helped us make the greatest nation in the world better than it's ever been.

[msongs]

2. mentioned climate change in part 3...too bad he had that awful kid though nt

[RufusTFirefly]

3. Yes. I had the same thought -- about the awful kid, that is n/t

[bucolic_frolic]

4. 1984 was better

I thought his 1984 speech a particular humdinger.

'Shining City on a Hill' was a metaphor for 2 Americas.

We Still have two Americas.

As memorable as William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech in 1892 I think it was, or 1896.

No, I don't actually remember it!!

[KoKo]

9. And, John Edwards picked up that Theme.....but, he was weak...

and "Things Happened" and Clinton's Second Term with "Monica Gate" ...May have caused him to get rid of Glass-Steagall Act that would have stopped the Financial Implosion of the '07-08 Banking Crisis where they Reaped Average Americans, and his FCC Deregulation of 96, Welfare Reform, Commodities Modernization Act (the Financial Instruments that J.P. Morgan allowed to sell to Pension Funds that helped cause the Crash) ....and there's More...because they Knew Clinton was Compromised..Under Impeachment for Monica Diddling......and, they Went After Him.

But, he has done very well since then...So, he has few complaints.

Here We Are..

[ReRe]

5. K&R

It's hard to believe that that is Andrew's dad. Mario knew how to make a speech. And a Democrat through and through. I'll never forget it. Thank you for posting this!
Now go find that speech of Ann Richards.

[KoKo]

11. I would love to see Ann Richard's Posts here in V&MM....

Could you find them.

They don't "Make them, Anymore," like Ann Richards or Molly Ivans..........Sadly.

Please do it if you have access.

[SunSeeker]

15. Here's her 1988 DNC speech. A classic.

Gov. Ann Richards speaks at the 1988 Democratic C…:

[ReRe]

20. I'll dance at your next wedding!

... thank you for sharing that wonderful speech. So good to hear it again. Wish we could keep this thread going with other good speeches. Deval Patrick's "backbone" speech at the last Democratic Convention. Harry Truman giving big business hell. Teddy Kennedy. Jesse Jackson.

[KoKo]

21. Thanks! They don't make them like that anymore...& Barbara Jordan...

Courageous Women who could tell the truth and had a great presence. I remember Molly Ivans (not a politician) but a great wit and truth teller.

Elizabeth Warren is as close as we can get..these days, it seems.

Thanks for posting. I'll look around for Barbara Jordan's speeches when I have time. Or, maybe someone else will find and post.

[SunSeeker]

14. Here's an excerpt from her 1988 convention speech - the "poor George " line.

Ann Richards' 1988 DNC speech:

[mazzarro]

6. And the current New York governor is somewhat deaf to these? Hmmmmmmmm - n/t

[ReRe]

19. Can you honestly say...

... you don't see the difference in them?

[tokenlib]

7. I was so hopeful he would run for president..

..and I was so disappointed when he didn't..'One of our best communicators ever...


But Andrew scares me .....

[KoKo]

12. Sadly...the Sons are not "of the Father."

But, then ...Times have Changed and who knows if the "Boys" thought their father was too far to the Left..and they saw THEIR FUTURES....not tied to Him?

It happens.

But, Mario and Ted Kennedy gave incredibly "Rousing Speeches" to us Dems..way back.

The "fever of FDR" was still in their rhetoric.....and it was good to listen to....imho

[ReRe]

16. I felt the same way...

... cried my eyes out when he wouldn't run. He would have turned out to be one of our greatest had he run and won. My husband was in the Military at the time and we were living on a base in u[state NY. I used to tune in and listen to him once a week on those radio shows. I hope Mario is doing OK. I miss his voice and his wisdom.

[mazzarro]

8. Why is the Democratic Party unable to do something with the "trickle down economics" meme?

Last edited Mon Nov 10, 2014, 08:10 PM - Edit history (1)

It is obvious what they intend is that "the wealth comes in as a 'DELUGE TO THE 1%'; and 'TRICKLES DOWN AS MINISCULE PAY CHECKS TO THE 99%'".

[bucolic_frolic]

10. It's a system of incentive and exploitation

the only leveling mechanism is income taxes without loopholes

seems to me Paul Krugman's 'Conscience of a Liberal' has chapters on
income equality and tax rates, the 1950s being notoriously high tax but
economic growth phenomenal too

[ReRe]

18. Why?

Because it was a failed economic system. Reagan and his Republican cronies pulled the wool over the eyes of America and at the same time pulled off one of the biggest heists that this country has ever seen, and they are still making hay out of it. Because it's working for them, the 1% . But it left everyone else behind. And the jobs went away. Thriving little towns turned into ghost towns, and cities turned into a SHAFT movie. What the Democratic Party needs to do is
dismantle this human casino and bring back The American Dream for our descendents.

[markpkessinger]

13. I remember that speech well . . .

. . . it was brilliant! Now if only his son would take some lessons from the old man . . .

[ReRe]

17. Did you hear Ann Richards...

... 1988 Democratic Convention speech upthread? If not, come back and listen to it too. This thread needs to stay alive!