I hope Kerry's been practicing

[jpgray]

Because the bar has been raised very high. I'm really excited to hear Edwards now as well.

One thing he needs to have is solid audience rhythm--a good speech is like a dialogue rather than a monologue, because the cheers and applause of an audience contain a kind of thought. Every major speaker up there did a good job with that rhythm, whether it was in sort of preacher-style talking over like Kerry's swiftboat comrade, or the standard Clinton way of pausing for the applause at the right moments.

[Gloria]

1. I was thinking the same thing......all were excellent......

Gore again was magnificent........and Clinton......well.......what you can say about Clinton? Wow

[Lancer]

2. I hear you

and I didn't want either of your comments go unnoted.

Memorable speeches have common refrains and good parallels of thought. Big Dog excels at this kind of thing, as do African-American ministers.

Yes, the bar has been raised, but I think Kerry will rise to the challenge. I really do.

[hlthe2b]

3. heavens... I'm thinking that we are all being influenced by all that RW

stereotyping of Kerry.

He IS an excellent and very experienced public speaker and debater in his own right. Has it come across in every rote stump speech he has given 12 times each day? Perhaps not. Yet, I think CSPAN has shown some very impassioned speeches in past months that most of the world never saw (since the media refuses to cover anything more important that Bush* giving the same DAMNED verbal assalt of a speech he has attempted 500 million times to the same pre-screened zomby audience).

Kerry has wanted this his entire life. I feel confident that Kerry will give an excellent speech. It will be a Kerry speech-- not a Big Dog Clinton speech-- but it will be a VERY GOOD Kerry speech. Kerry is not dull, despite all we are being told. He is intelligent and thoughtful, but most important, he is sincere. It WILL come through. Have faith (or confidence as the case may be).

[jpgray]

4. I think he is brilliant in a conversational debate format

If he has one of those with Bush, he will virtually kill him on live TV. :D

But his stump speech isn't quite perfected--and you're right that we shouldn't expect a Clinton-style speech from Kerry, because it would sound horribly clunky. A good Kerry speech can still be a great speech, and you're right that he should give it in his own way.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

5. Kerry just needs to remember to

vary his speed of delivery and vary his pitch and tone of voice.

Keep it lively. Stop and savor a moment. Really put himself into it.

He'll do GREAT! Just that voice alone is commanding!

[jpgray]

6. He has excellent presence and a good voice

If he can just nail the delivery, we'll be set.