Between Carter, Gore or Clinton

[SammyBlue]

Who gave the better speech on Day #1.

Each had their strengths. Gore's was very intellectual, Carter's was very heartfelt and Clinton's was very inspiring.

Personally, I thought Carter's was my favorite because of his round-about ways of attacking Bush on Bush's AWOL status while in the Guard. Line like (to paraphrase) "Kerry enlisted in the Navy and actually showed up" got a lot of laughs and applause where I was watching the convention.

Clinton's speech was just awe-inspiring. The jutxaposing of himself with the upper 1% was fabulous. The Big Dawg can still do it and it is still inspiring to watch a REAL leader (hear that Freepers. . .a REAL leader) practice his trade.

Gore' speech was what I expected from Gore, but the question he said "IF you supported (Chimpy McFlightsuit) Bush four years ago, are you happy with the results" was the perfect question to ask.

So, fellow DUers, which of the three did you think was the best and why?

P.S. - My apologies to the DUers who came up with Chimpy McFlightsuit, but it gives me a smile every time I say it. So much so, I'm changing calling him Bush-Lite to Chimpy McFlightsuit!

P.P.S. - I live in Arizona and what was once a Republican lock is now a swing state. Chimpy is in trouble if AZ and NH are considered swing states.

[Liberal Christian]

1. They were all wonderful

but Clinton was absolutely brilliant.

Hands down, the best speech of the evening, ranking in the top 5 convention speeches in my lifetime.

[newyawker99]

2. Hi SammyBlue!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Lisa]

3. they did a great job playing off each other ...

I wouldn't be surprised if they got together beforehand, just to avoid duplicating each other's topics. (Hillary too.)

Carter surprised me -- after seeing him in "above the fray" nonpartisan mode for so long, I had forgotten that he can come out swinging. From him, that little comment about Kerry showing up (contrast with Bush!) was VERY effective. Even more than if Gore had said it. Both Carter and Gore stopped just short of saying "We told you so", though it was pretty evident in their material. And Clinton with that self-deprecating moment, basically admitting that he had messed up, but Kerry wouldn't have those flaws.

In terms of age, mannerisms, and type of humor used, I think they may have highlighted the contrast deliberately, so as to stand out in our memories.

[Cheswick2.0]

4. Each one gave the message they could best convey

I am partial to Gore's politics and think he is a superior human being so I have to admit I enjoyed his the most.
Carter is also a hero of mine. Clinton can always turn on the crowd. He has more presence than anyone.

[Lisa]

6. he definitely was a great "icebreaker"

He smoothly shifted from the 2000 election debacle into praising Kerry. (It can't have been easy for him, given that he admitted he had hoped he'd be running for a second term just about now!) But he did this with style and class. I've been thinking about all of those speeches, and I don't think that the evening would have worked as well if they'd had Carter or Clinton go in his place. He built up the audience's expectations very effectively. It takes a certain kind of grace to make other people look good without seeming insincere yourself, and Gore is terrific at it.

By the way, I had a cageful of baby chicks across the room that started squawking just before Gore took the stage, and when I turned up the sound, they settled down ... I think they like his voice (or they know about the chicken hypnosis story).




http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/03/24/loc_gore_does_chicken.html

[bigwillq]

5. The Big Dog

really knocked's Shrub's policies while also giving the public more of an insight as to the type of man Kerry is and the ability he will have while running our country.

We all knew this about Kerry but some of the country does not and I think Bill did a great job of stressing that point as well as Gore and Carter.

But you asked who I liked best and for me it was our former president

CLINTON!!