I actually didn’t plan on watching much of this convention at all! It’s the RNC Convention where the fun begins!
But tonight turned out to be a surprise. I was first alerted that Al Gore was being rather funny (claiming he doesn’t “lie awake at night counting…and recounting sheep”) and pretty sharp (“Wouldn’t we be safer with a president who didn’t insist on confusing al Qaeda with Iraq?”).
So I got sucked in. And as bored as I planned on being, I ended up rather impressed. From Gore to both Clintons (though Hillary was a bit shrill for my taste…if I wanted my ears to bleed I’d listen to Eleanor Clift on the McClaughlin Group each week…oh, wait, I do.)
Anyway, the most endearing — and ironically, the toughest speaker of the night — was the 80 year old Jimmy Carter! Who kicked it!
Notable quotes from his speech which is worth the full read! (it’s short and sweet):
They knew the horrors of war. And later as commanders in chief, they exercised restraint and judgment, and they had a clear sense of mission.
We had a confidence that our leaders, both military and civilian, would not put our soldiers and sailors in harm’s way by initiating wars of choice unless America’s vital interests were in danger.
We also were sure that these presidents would not mislead us when issues involved our national security.
…
I am confident that next January, [John Kerry] will restore the judgment and maturity to our government that nowadays is sorely lacking.
…
Truth is the foundation of our global leadership, but our credibility has been shattered and we are left increasingly isolated and vulnerable in a hostile world.
…
[I]n just 34 months, we have watched with deep concern as all [the] good will [after 9/11] has been squandered by a virtually unbroken series of mistakes and miscalculations.
Unilateral acts and demands have isolated the United States from the very nations we need to join us in combating terrorism.
…
What a difference these few months of extremism have made.
The United States has alienated its allies, dismayed its friends, and inadvertently gratified its enemies by proclaiming a confused and disturbing strategy of preemptive war.
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We cannot maintain our historic self-confidence as a people if we generate public panic…we cannot do our duty as citizens and patriots if we pursue an agenda that polarizes and divides our country…we cannot be true to ourselves if we mistreat others.
And finally, in the world at large, we cannot lead if our leaders mislead.
You can’t be a war president one day and claim to be a peace president the next, depending on the latest political polls.
…
Ultimately, the basic issue is whether America will provide global leadership that springs from the unity and the integrity of the American people, or whether extremist doctrines, the manipulation of the truth, will define America’s role in the world.
At stake is nothing less than our nation’s soul.
You go, boy! It was a humdinger! So much for the idea that ex-Presidents are supposed to shut the hell up! Now that’s what a great American looks like boys and girls.
Brad,
you’re right. Carter kicked major ass. i think Gore, however, did what we call real hoss work where i am from. He was funny as all get out. Though i cant remember if he used my favorite line last night : You may remember me. I’m the man formerly known as the next president of the united states.
But when he talked about channeling all of the frustration over 00 into Kerry’s election i think he closed the deal for my friends and i who are not democrats but are operating on a united front perspective.
In other news i think the Governor of Michigan hammered Chris Matthews when he was complaining about the platform and alternative fuel technologies. And the booing of Matthews when he asked about Mrs. Kerry’s confrontation with that goon McNickles was great.
Yes…saw that Matthews exchange as well. Matthews might be a great commentator/pundit if he had MUCH LESS air time to fill!
As to closing the deal based on Gore…I hear ya. But personally, I’m not yet there. If I was in a swing state, I’d probably be on board. But as is, I’m still having trouble with the idea of pulling the lever for Kerry out here in CA anyway.
BIG plus on his side (other than he’s not Bush, of course, which is a given) is his stance against the Death Penalty. Not easy in this political world these days, and my understanding is that he’s stayed strong on that. That had been a deal breaker for me in the past vis a vis Clinton and Gore.
So consider me still an "undecided" voter.
Glad to hear that Gore’s excellent speechifying yesterday brought on board some new leaning customers though!
Our votes will not matter. Kerry will win California (55 electoral votes) and Bush will win Texas (34 electoral votes). Hopefully, more swing states vote for Bush to give him the magic number.
If you are an undecided voter at this point, you are not very intelligent [what more do you need?] and your "Anyone One Bush" and entire anti-Bush blog stance rings hollow.
Brad,
i think you’re correct. i am not a Democrat, let’s say i prefer the red carnation, but i think in terms of united front politics some things are necessary. i can understand not voting for Kerry in areas that are not swing states. But in places that are dead heats, Tennessee for example, it is not an issue.
Of course voting for Nader is not an option at all. We had a huge fight during the last election on the left. Whenever we brought up republican su[pport of Nader, financial and otherwise, the retort was that he was drawing genuine support from Bush. This go around i personally dont know anyone willing to hoss that load or that not a dimes bit of difference crap.
And I too, agree with you, John.
It’s not the "dimes bit of difference" stuff or the possibility of voting for Nader (especially not with the appalling idea that he’s being almost solely supported by the GOP as a way to siphon votes from Kerry – chickenshits).
But rather, since Kerry hasn’t yet convinced me that he’s worthy of my support (beyond the "Anyone But Bush" notion, which is *certainly* an excellent reason for anyone in a swing state to pull the lever for Kerry!). I’m delighted by his Anti-Death Penalty stance, which is a hard one for any pol to make in this atmosphere, so he has that going for him.
But beyond that, in California, where hopefully he’ll win anyway, my vote may be better spent on one of the other third parties to hopefully increase their support (via Fed funding, etc.) in future elections. The two-party system blows. Especially with those two parties as the two parties in question!
But yes, anyone in a state where either Bush is leading or it’s swinging both ways, it’s clear that a vote for Kerry is the responsible thing to do for America, no matter how one feels about him personally!
Brad,
As a candidate, i would prefer someone to the left like Sharpton. i know a lot of folks don’t like him but i thought his speech last night rocked. He hammered the Administration in a way that too few democrats arewilling to do. He had those people on their feet like few others at this convention. The line of the night:
We were promised 40 acres and a mule. This is the basis of reparations to this day. We didn’t get the 40 acres, but we will ride this donkey as far as it will take us.
The roof was blown off Fleet. His turn of a phrase was amazing; all of them were clean slices (except for the Thomas which was simply truthful). If Kerry had a brain he would ask Sharpton to be a speech writer.
John,
The only problem with that speech was the word "reparations." Nothing will make disaffected Republicans and independents wary of a Democrat like that idea.
But hey, I am voting for Kerry (albeit with a rancid taste in my mouth) b/c Bush has just f—ing worn me out.