David "Fucking"Brooks spinning Teresa's speech as "Unpersonable"

[RandomKoolzip]

For once, I MIGHT agree. Hmmmm. I don't know how I feel about it, frankly. I wasn't as impressed as I shoulda been. Maybe it's because of Obama; nothing could follow Obama. It's like the Monkees following Hendrix.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

1. Eh

to each his own, I thought it was really good, especially the "better angels of our natures" part.

[RandomKoolzip]

2. I was impressed, but it didn't have the feeling

of "history being made" that Obama's speech did.

And I think that Brooks may be right that the country needs to know more personally about JFK, and Teresa gets up there, and VERY ELOQUENTLY, mind you, talks policy.

I dunno. I'm running hot and cold.

[LittleApple81]

3. You better make it hot. She is here to stay. And as Randi says

We will bounce our boobies!!!!

[teresafan]

21. Pictures please...

Bounce away!!!

[LittleApple81]

22. LOL!

[gardenista]

4. She resonated with women voters. She was just perfect.

Brooks is an idiot, and he's grasping.

[RandomKoolzip]

5. Brooks is a weiner.

He's a braying neocon jackass. And I hate the man.

But I woulda appreciated an anecdote or two. Don't get me wrong, I think she's awesome.

[aquart]

20. Yeah, he wanted safe and cutesy.

John Kerry MARRIED this woman. She didn't scare him a bit. THAT's the personal anecdote.

Brooks wouldn't have the guts.

[struggle4progress]

28. Absolutely right! eom

[Eloriel]

43. Boy, I agree. I'm sitting here reading and wondering -

what THK speech did I miss? It was rather profound, actually, delivered in a soothing and occasionally witty way. I had NOT liked her particularly, but after that speech, I absolutely do. I think she'll make an absolutely remarkable First Lady.

[JDPriestly]

37. Maybe we'll learn more on Thursday night.

Teresa Heinz Kerry would have ruined the suspense if she had told Kerry anecdotes tonight. Public TV totally missed the fact that she (and Ronald Reagan) were speaking to fed up Republicans ready to vote for Kerry. Also, Heinz Kerry was speaking to immigrants. I figure that is why she spoke so slowly and carefully. I think she did a fabulous job and put to rest malicious rumors that she is a loose gun.

[Kipepeo]

6. I thought it was great

And as a woman, I especially loved the one day women who speak out won't be called opinionated they'll be called smart part.

She was great.

[otohara]

7. Hillary Redux -

God, how they bashed Hillary - She's still the most admired woman in this country. Teresa too smart for you David?

[progressivebydesign]

8. She spoke from the heart.. not the teleprompter..

.. those GOP idiots wouldn't recognize that. THEY have a lot of nerve criticizing ANYONE for how they speak.

[Liberal Christian]

15. She spoke from the teleprompter

But the words on the teleprompter came from her heart.

[otohara]

33. Yes Teleprompter

But her delivery was amazing! Whew...

[supernova]

9. Isn't she introducing him on Thursday?

If so, there might be more time for an anecdote or two. There's going to be plenty of time for that stuff.

I really appreciated her showing herself tonight. She did very well and I will be ecstatic to have Teresa as First Lady.

[theivoryqueen]

10. I am very glad you posted this. I had a feeling of dread

watching her AND watching the faces of those who were there in the convention also watching her. It made me wish two things:

her speech was shorter... and
Obama came back on

[RandomKoolzip]

13. Thanks. I'm sorry....

I really don't mean to bash THK, I really don't mean to. I think she's great and she made lots of wonderful points.

But it's true that the media has declared an official black out on JFK's history; all that people know about him is that he's a war hero and a flip-flopper (bullshit!). If she'd gone up there and talked about their lives together, it woulda won over some people...I think.

Otherwise, it was great. (But it wasn't Obama!)

[theivoryqueen]

19. I agree, she could have made the speech more "personal"

the look on Hillarys face during the last part of THK's speech was the one that finally chilled me. I don't understand her (THK), but am willing to embrace her as our first lady. I just wish that she had seemed more... something..???? I fear this will cost us.

[Cha]

45. For crissake! It doesn't have to be Obama like!

They both were great in their own ways. This isn't a fucking contest. Everyone brings something of themselves to this convention.

[sundog]

11. No way, are you kidding?!

I thought she was great... listen to Brooks if you must... the whole night was absolutely amazing... not a dud in the house. I personally thought her speech was right on...

[Media_Lies_Daily]

12. She's not a politician...she talks like a normal person talks....

...and she hit a home run with quite a few people.

[bullimiami]

16. I agree she was very good

After Obama, who was just amazing, And RR who was excellent, I can see the letdown for someone who was just very good.
Honestly I cant imagine how anyone would have a probelm with it. She was smart and spoke like a real person instead of the characatures we often see.

[CaTeacher]

17. I think she is wonderful!

Our secret weapon! Remember how they hated Hillary? Well--we have to be prepared for more of the same.

But--I think she is fantastic! I love how she speaks her mind and I thought she connected with the audience (especially women) in a fantastic way!

I especially loved her remarks about the peace corps--THAT is the face of America that I wish people in other countries were seeing!

I love her!

[bloom]

14. I thought she gave a great speech

and I agree that every speech does not need to be compared to every other speech.

[calimary]

18. He's full of shit. She was GREAT!

She is elegant, cultured, international, educated, articulate, classy, and sexy. As a woman, I would be MOST delighted to have her speaking for me, and to have her as the face of American women to the world. I think we desperately need it!

I thought she was WUNNNNNderful. And opening with greetings in FIVE languages?!?!?! She embodies what this country needs at exactly this moment - an outreach to the rest of the world, and an American face that isn't an arrogant bully. She is the world. WE ARE THE WORLD. We're supposed to be a nation of immigrants, 'eh? Well, there she stands. All you knuckledraggers who want your women kept silent, subservient, and Stepford - do as Teresa recommends: SHOVE IT!

[GoldenOldie]

25. Brooks isn't even in Teresa's league

How can someone who is so very apparently less intelligent than Teresa have the audacity to critique her. Let's see.....she is a woman.....I am a man(?).....therefore I can deem her good or bad!!!!!

What a crock of crap. The Brooks type of guy feels threatened by intelligent outspoken women and they must attack them in order to save them selves. Vanity thy name is Brooks, Hannity, O'Reilly, etc. This just reflects how bad these guys really are.

[depakid]

35. Actually, Brooks feels threatened by anyone intelligent

and assertive. He's a total phoney who could never live up to his academic parents.

That's once of the reasons why he whines about "conservatives" being bullied by mean old liberal professors.

[OnionPatch]

23. I don't know about him

but Theresa resonated with me! I thought she was nothing short of fabulous.

[MODemocrat]

39. I couldn't take my eyes off of her

She gave a great speech in my opinion. Just looking at her Son, and the way he loves and admires her speaks volumes. :thumbsup:

[depakid]

24. Why even listen to Brooks?

Seriously? The man is totally disingenuous and has proven that he'll say anything to try to smear Democrats.

[latebloomer]

26. I missed Obama

but Teresa rocked. I wish I could vote for HER!!

[dudeness]

27. passionate, intelligent woman

i would be proud to have an independent woman such as this having an influence on my government..

[truth2power]

29. It brought me to tears when she spoke of "the better angels of our natue"

I love the way she speaks, with an understated intensity. It didn't matter that she didn't include anecdotes about JK. She spoke with heart about what America can be again.

David Brooks must have been watching a different channel. He's an ass!! :puke:

[truth2power]

34. Sorry. Duplicate posts. Wouldn't let me edit either.

[truth2power]

30. It brought me to tears. Especially the "better angels of our nature."

I love the way she speaks, with an understated intensity. It didn't matter that she didn't include anecdotes about JK. She spoke with heart about what America can be again.

David Brooks must have been watching a different channel. He's an ass!! :puke:

[truth2power]

31. Great speech.

I love the way she speaks, with an understated intensity. It didn't matter that she didn't include anecdotes about JK. She spoke with heart about what America can be again.

David Brooks must have been watching a different channel. He's an ass!! :puke:

[Oilwellian]

32. I take it you're not a woman

She spoke to the core of our souls tonight. Sorry you didn't see it.

[realcountrymusic]

47. Bingo - loved it

First, Obama hit one so far out of the park that they're still looking for it on Yawkey Way (one for the Bostonians). It's not reasonable to compare THK to Obama, and I think most Americans adjust the gauge for a spouse who is not a politician herself. I had no problem with her following Obama, except that I was still buzzing from his amazing speech and having a little trouble calming down. Reagan was eloquent and helped the cause, but left no strong impression. He was there for the symbolism and to peel away a few more votes, mostly from women in swing states, I suspect, who are likely to respond to the moral argument he made despite being a priori "pro life" voters. Seriously rational people already agree about stem stell research without regard for their views on abortion.

But:

I thought THK was terrific. This was the first time I'd heard her speak, and I thought she was smart, funny, frank about her cosmopolitanism, and above all *real* in a way Laura Bush couldn't touch (and I hear Eliz. Edwards makes a similar impression, though in a different key). Some talking head moron on one of the networks made a comment I thought was actually astute -- saying she reminded him of a classic European movie star, in the good sense. She didn't have to play to the 40-46 percent of people who are going to vote for Bush. She had to play to the substantial number of professional women and mothers who make up a significant number of "undecideds." A lot of them are, of necessity, closeted feminists. I know a few. I thought the strategy of having her speak for most of the time right over the top of the media and directly to women was smart and effective -- every time the cameras panned to women in the audience, I saw tears and clenched fists of approval. The effect might not be as strong with swing women voters, but I would bet that in the privacy of the voting booth THK just might peel a few extra thousand away from knee-jerk republican votes in places it matters.

And can I say it without sounding like a total jerk? Damn, she's just got that certain something -- a sparkle, a mystery, a depth -- that makes her just plain sexy (I know, she's a grandmother, but who says grandmothers can't be sexy?). You never know how that affects things, and I generally think it's stupid when people say "women will vote for John Edwards" (or George Bush*) because they are supposedly good looking men (though I don't get what the Cheney they are talking about with Chimpo, and nor would I *ever* want to drink a beer with him!). I don't think men would do that either, by and large, and THK isn't the candidate, but she's a lot of fun to watch and *what* a pleasure to have someone so educated on the national stage. She didn't flaunt it either, so I don't think she condescended. The speech did have a few oddly rough transitions in it which were the fault of the writers, not THK's delivery, which was more than adequate. How they could possibly let any piece of speechwriting go out on the stage at a national convention without dealing with a few basic structural flaws, like jagged transitions that then veer back to the topic just abandoned, amazes me. Bad execution which makes me nervous about Edwards and Kerry, though I'm sure theirs have gotten more careful treatment.

A great night for the dems. I only wish the networks had covered Obama. He was so amazing that I'm already detecting that the story will be "a star is born" tomorrow, and we'll see a lot of clips from it. "We worship an AWEsome God in the blue states" just about made me lose my diet pepsi. In THK's immortal words, that was a great big "Shove It!" to the theologues on the right. Damn. They should bring him back and have *him* introduce Kerry. Scratch that. BAD idea. I'm itching to pull a voting lever for that guy. Big Dog, move over, cuz a mean Little Dog's moving in!

RCM

[Yupster]

36. My impression

was that you could have plugged in the name of any politician of the last 30 years and taken out the name John Kerry and it would have been the same speech. I think it was just generic.

My wife, who is much more progressive than I just kept saying "She's not saying anything."

On the other hand, Obama's speech was great and he's actually running for something.

[Cha]

41. With all due respect to your wife...Teresa said a lot...

She spoke of her experiences and some of us actually got to know her a little bit. I thought her speech was perfect and I find it amazing how many people like to pick apart a speech from the heart.

It was very empowering to women. And I can see her as The First Lady Of The United States Of America.

[Eloriel]

46. I'd suggest your wife read a transcript, if/when one is available

She said a LOT, and it was remarkable.

[Sparkly]

38. Tonight I saw why so many people love her

and I completely disagree that she was ho-hum, or "unpersonable." She completely broke the mold of "First Lady," bringing something new from anyone before; and she was warm, caring, smart, strong, and heartfelt.

Wonderful!

[yellowcanine]

40. I fell in love with her and I am sure millions of others did as well.

David Brooks is full of it and can shove it. He clearly isn't comfortable with a strong, smart woman who has ideas of her own. I thought his comments were really snarky and Mark Shields didn't have the cojones to disagree with him.

[Cha]

42. Wow! I can't believe Mark Shields didn't offer up some

sort of counter point to that very inaccurate description of Teresa's speech!

[mbee]

44. They're mad already because she's highly intelligent and they

can't Al Gore her because she isn't scripted. The one thing that is very helpful! This ticket is going to win in a huge landslide!

[glitch]

48. Her speech was a lot deeper than most political speeches

You should probably give it another chance, try to hear it again.