Kerry's rhetorical tin ear is really annoying me

[dolstein]

Edwards can say more in five minutes than Kerry can say in twenty-five. Can't Kerry get himself a better speech writer?

[Maddy McCall]

1. I am enjoying his speech...I like him more every time I see him.

[girl gone mad]

8. I liked his talking points better..

the firtst time I heard them... when Dean, Kucinich, Edwards and Clark were saying them. Those 4 actually sound like they believe what they say, though.

[LiberalTexan]

11. You got that right, girlfriend!

LOL

[Maddy McCall]

20. Lest I forget that Dean has the patent on populist rhetoric.

Yeah, right. :eyes:

[PAMod]

25. Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean

Listen, I want to win in November - if Kerry is the nominee, then of course, I want him to get elected. His people better listen up, because in spite of the primary success, their guy has real problems - this inability to deliver a speech is a huge one.

We may have "dated" Dean only to "marry" Kerry, but the burning memories of the passionate Doctor (and others) could plague this marriage of "electability". Kerry may be the more famous, safer choice, but he is going to have to work full time to keep the disappointed and uninspired Democrats from staying home or voting Green. Every time he opens his mouth, even in victory, it is another reminder of the heartbreak.

In addition, he is going to have to work overtime to attract the so-called swing voters and those few Republicans that are looking for an alternative to George Bush. They will not turn to Kerry unless he can reach into their hearts and imaginations and draw them over. The snowball fights and the nutty family will help, but ultimately people will be deciding about John Kerry.

Look, if Kerry really believes what he is now saying (and I don't doubt that he does), he is going to have to convince people of that fact. If that means taking speech class, or studying video of successful leaders, then he ought do it.

The sooner this selection process is over, the sooner people are going to lock in on Kerry and his appearance, mannerisms, and speech ability. IWR? Patriot Act? No Child Left Behind? So far at least, no one apparently cares what Kerry has done - but they will intellectually tune him out if he doesn't make them listen to what he will do. His "vision" for America's future will sound like the radio someone left on in the other room - distant and annoying - while they stare at his face.

"Electability" might get him the nomination, he's got a long way to go before he is truly electable.

But there's still time, unless his people decide that he is perfect the way he is, in which case we are doomed.

[shindig]

21. except for the parts where

he bashes Bush about the iraq war and he bashes Ashcroft about the patriot act, even though he voted to authorize their power in both cases. Clark subtly reminded everyone of this fact during his interview on CNN. I hope he pushes harder on it.

[PAMod]

2. He's the worst. Some people got "it", some people don't

He's a great American though.

[David Dunham]

5. Get Used to JK. He's Very, Very Likely Now the Dem Nominee

[PAMod]

23. Yea, I suppose we'll all have to get over it.

[dolstein]

12. Honestly -- this guy can't give a speech to save his life

It sounds as if fifteen different people wrote that speech. What a jumbled mess.

[ACPS65]

3. You kiddin'?

Those people are hanging on his every word.

[dolstein]

13. They're probably waiting for it to end

After all, these people have been waiting hours for Kerry to speak. B

[lastknowngood]

4. If you don't believe in what your saying or your using

someone elses speach and your a boring speaker to begin with. He's doing alright to working against all that.

[Terwilliger]

6. I DO agree with you there

Just when I expect a big climax to a topic. . .he moves right into a monotonal bit and just drags on and on.

[krkaufman]

16. Agreed

Very monotone and he draaaaaws out words unnecessarily. But he's really building up the sound bites... I won't be able to take the whole "I know something about aircraft carriers...." thing for NINE MORE MONTHS (and I expect it will grow tiring and wooden for other Americans, as well).

[Sandpiper]

7. Despite Edwards silver tongued oratory

He hasn't won anywhere outside of the south. Are you comfortable with this in a national election?

[theboss]

9. He needs a new speech

I'm getting bored with the "we're thirty-five years older" and "know something about aircraft carriers for real" and "if I am elected President . . . "

The other candidates feel like they are saying something new each time, even when they aren't.

But, he must be doing something right.

[UTUSN]

10. It's a Smashing Speech n/t

[Meldread]

14. I agree.

However, something that irks me more than anything is his "bring it on" spiel over National Security. He is letting Bush frame the debate, and that's idiotic. Regardless of what has happened if you let Bush shape the debate you already lose -- you're fighting on the enemy's home ground. He needs to focus on what people feel the most strong about the economy, healthcare, and jobs. Period. Those are the winning issues -- why does he want to go down the path to failure?

I'm not voting for Kerry in the General Election if he wins, but it won't matter because he won't win anyway.

[killbotfactory]

15. "That reminds me of Karen McDoogle of poopwater, county

Who can't feed her four kids and has three blind eyes thanks to the Bush administration... I say to you today, that when I'm president she'll get the care she needs... like the kind of care I recieved when I was injured on a gunboat in 'Nam where we were all together as brothers... blah blah blah... did I mention I'm electable?"

[hedgetrimmer]

17. Back the hump off! n/t

[nomaco-10]

18. The Jimmi Hendrix music is an abomination............

Jimmi is probably turning over in his grave.

[countmyvote4real]

19. drone drone drone

Yes, it's better than the current resident, but Edwards, Dean and even Clark who doesn't have any experience at running for office are better orators and more inspiring.

I know this is going to sound mean and might even get the thread locked, but there's also Kerry's "Lurch" factor. Yes, it's totally superficial, but I know people that actually vote that way. On the other hand, the chimp factor didn't seem to sway the chimp, except that he got less votes than that election's Lurch.

[newsjunkie]

22. Get use to staying losers,Dems

with Kerry. All this ABB and 'electability' junk is just ridiculous.
Howard Dean is the one that can beat Bush and people will be so sick of Kerry's old worn out plagarism speeches by the time we get to the GE Bush will have 4 more without even trying. WAKE UP DEMOCRATS! You are letting the media and DLC pick your candidate for you before most of the country has even voted yet. If this party is so dumb to let a wonderful proven leader and fighter for America like Dean slip through its hands, Im not sure I can be part of it anymore.There are lots of Dems who are going to feel this way. It's obvious the fix is in by the big insider money players for Kerry. Disgusting. Dean could save this party from their losing streak against Republicans, but they wont let him.

[Democat]

26. Dean is very likely done

Let's face reality and start planning for how Democrats can beat Bush.

Kerry wasn't my candidate, but I'm not going to have a tantrum and help Bush either.

[Monte Carlo]

24. You have to give him time.

Kerry doesn't have Edwards's charisma and smoothness, and never will, but that doesn't mean that he can't be a good speaker; he has his own qualities.