Kerry did good!

[Blue_Roses]

For all those "doubting Thomases," "gloom and doomers," and "henny-pennys" this is still VERY MUCH an active campaign. Kerry looks like he's ready to bust out of the gates after the RNC crap this week. His speech was great and well received. Just two more days of the bush love-fest...and then katie bar the door, 'cause then the REAL fight begins..wooooohooooooo! :bounce:

[kwolf68]

1. Quit it

Haven't you heard?

Kerry is kowtowing to Bush
He has terrible speechwriters
His campaign is a mess
He needs to fight back

Yada yada yada

How DARE you suggest Kerry did good.

/sarcasm

It was a great speech. The reception was cordial and they panned the crowd and it looks like the Legion was really seriously listening to him.

This was not the crowd you throw red meat to, but Kerry did a great job of outlining the differences between a Kerry and a Shrub administration. It was a tough speech, but highly respectful of the situation.

He can also pronounce words as well.

[chimpymustgo]

5. It was a very courageous, convincing speech.

A very tough crowd, some even hostile. But Kerry gave such a clear, strong speech that NO ONE there could take issue with his criticisms and proposals.

He got a standing ovation at the end. And I sincerely believe he won some votes.

[kwolf68]

12. I tried to watch the audience

They panned it some and you could see some just sitting there, others clapping in a cordial manner and some clapping with real energy.

This is a fairly Conservative group and for Kerry to take his ball game to them shows his courage, his willingness to fight for his ideals in front of people who may not agree with everything he has said or done.

It would be so easy for him to go and give a speech at the Sierra Club, but a real leader crosses perspective lines and is willing to take a chance with people who don’t see eye to eye with him.

I was blown away impressed when Kerry offered to go to Bob Jones University to speak (they of course rejected the offer) and was kinda perplexed but impressed his campaign rolled through Conservative strongholds. I think that strategy is brilliant by the way (I believe he will appeal to women in these bastions and every little vote counts…HOW MANY Liberal votes from pro-choice environmentalists do you think Bush is getting?)

We can win this thing. Kerry can win this thing, no question in my mind.

[Blue_Roses]

17. It was a tough crowd and alot of those old men are crusty

and stubborn--I should know--my dad was one of them. They are a tough crowd and don't give in easily, but once they have your respect,they will defend you till the end.

[ItsMyParty]

2. Yes - it was excellent because he did what people have been

begging him to do. He finally went after Bush on how they totally fucked up this war. I'm glad that some new blood came on board his campaign and listened to what many editorial writers, etc. had told Kerry he could and should do. I think John was happy delivering it, too.

[jackstraw45]

3. It's funny because the people here at DU that have been SLAMMING those

who have been making these suggestions about the campaign are suddenly giddy with JOY over his speech.

[ClassWarrior]

4. I'm sure he appreciates your back-handed compliment.

[Blue_Roses]

7. "finally went after Bush

on how he fucked up this war"...LOL! where have you been? Kerry has addressed this on numerous occasions. He hit it out of the ballpark the night of his acceptance speech

[ItsMyParty]

14. not like he went after specifics this time

He outlined just how Bush ignored advice, canned the senior officers, etc. It wasn't the "we needed allies" speech. It's the speech editorials all over the place have been telling him to give. This speech gave the signal that now they are going after the centerpiece of Bush and his great "leader" mantra.

[Blue_Roses]

18. yep.

the "great and strong" leader is where they need to hit it at the kneecaps. Bush is not a "great nor strong leader" or else 9-11 would have not happened. He would have been all over the Intel and would have listened to another great leader as he was leaving him the office. Clinton told Bush in no uncertain terms that al quaeda should be on the top of his priority list:

"Despite the Administration's rhetoric, the resources needed to secure the homeland have been denied and no system has been put in place to determine the real funding requirements." Against All Enemies by Richard Clarke

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. Actually there have been a lot of people buying into false media spin.

It seems like if Kerry is not actually live on TV in their face, some start to believe every RW talking point the media repeats about him. These weak minded people can't seem to sustain a thought on their own without external reinforcement. So, later today, the same complaints will be voiced by those who didn't see the speech, or those to whom even a few hours is too long to maintain resolve.

[elfin]

6. I agree

The commentators are already harping on why not refute SBV - brought up by Wolfie naturally. But I think he acted and spoke like a grownup and refused to crawl to Rethugs level.

I really liked how he separated the military and civilian leadership thoughts and actions. The distinction was lost on the Greenfield and the other guy, but I thought it was critical to show the vets and the military that their experience and judgements mean nothing to this ideological cres.

[AlinPA]

13. Military people understand the distinction, military/civilian and I

kept thinking Karl Rove as being one of the main civilian "leaders".

[Monte Carlo]

8. I missed it; how large was the crowd?

From what I've seen, Kerry tends to do much better addressing smaller crowds than larger ones. He's just not a firebrand.

If anyone would like to fill me in on some high points, please feel free.

[AlinPA]

10. It was gutsy of him to flat-out speak about the things * did not do right

in Iraq. It was somewhat long when he talked about the domestic issues, but good because he got the good stuff out there about jobs, etc. while he was on TV live. I'd say 1/2 of the people were clapping for him through the speech, but it looked like everyone stood and applauded at the end. I kept waiting for him to say something about the swift boat stuff, but I guess he is still ignoring it.

[Blue_Roses]

19. At this point

I don't care who clapped and who didn't. I'm just glad he got out there and in the middle of the RNC--:bounce:

What a fighter!

[mazzarro]

11. I do not accept that people who have been worried about Kerry-Edwards

campaign not being forceful, bold and hard-hitting are "doubting thomases". The campaign should not sit back and allow *&Co to define them to the electorate. I am aware of the bias of the media but we have known this all along and that is the more reason for K-E campaign to be on the offensive as much as possible and not *&Co off the hook.

[Blue_Roses]

16. you have a right to "accept" what the hell you want

but make no mistake--there HAVE and WILL CONTINUE to be "doubting Thomases" up till the end.

[A_Possum]

15. he got a standing ovation?

Excellent!

That's GOT to be good good news from a basically hostile audience.