Obama vs Hienz-Kerry...Let's be honest here

[nonews]

As a Dem looking for a comeback this fall, let's stop all of this admoration of H-K! She was terrible last night. Did not talk about her husband at all. I guarantee you she is going to piss off all of my life-long Dem relatives. She is sooooo condensenting!!!

On the other hand, Obama is terrific!!! We need to go with the first team and NOT even let H-K on the bench

[molly]

1. They were both terrific!

[davidwhite0570]

19. No she wasn't......

If anybody gets angry about her speech, it will be the repugs...

[lottie244]

130. She was great. And she did talk about Kerry.

He job was to appeal to the women voters not fawn all over her husband. She sleeps with him for God's sake. She did a magnificant job and no woman I have spoken to since last night (7 of them) said one thing negative about THK, they think she was great!

[Jim Sagle]

2. Teresa RAWWWWWWWWWKSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

[trumad]

3. You sir are 1 in a million

and I mean that... 1 in a million that think that Teresa's speech wasn't terrific... Let me guess...it pissed you off that her speech was an empowerment to women....

[proud patriot]

104. Then My husband is 1 in a million too

He absolutely fell in love with her last night .
Her speech was my husbands introduction to her .

His words "That's a Woman" "1,2,3,4,5 honey you didn't
tell me she could speak so many languanges WOW"
"she's so beautiful and smart" "What a good human being"
"She's amazing " "Well I'm going to be opinionated right along
with you Teressa"

LOL honestly I was amazed how well he took to her . :thumbsup:
My husband has great taste .

[Robbien]

4. What planet are you living on?

Were you turned on to the Faux channel?

[K8-EEE]

5. Not To Be "Condensenting" But...

It's "condescending" and no I didn't find her to be at all!! It's not Mrs. H-K OR Obama. They are both great. He is a superb speech maker but she has her own part to play and shouldn't be "benched" because of your apparently insecure relatives. Mine all loved them both!

[bloom]

6. Sorry - I think you're wrong

If she's going to be 1st lady - I want to know what she's about.


Keep her off the bench? - I think you're off your rocker.

[LittleApple81]

7. How many women do you have in your family? How many first generation

(and I mean naturalized) Americans do you have in your family? I am a naturalized American and I LOVED her spirit of inclusion. She was there for people to know her...Because of all the HORRIBLE things the repugs are saying about a smart, sexy, involved woman.

[drthais]

8. you are not specific

and all of MY relatives were blown away by Teresa
she was FABULOUS

women everywhere are inspired by her.
I feel lucky that the next first-lady
is an intelligent, articulate, well-read and sophisticated woman~

[WI_DEM]

9. I thought H-K was great

a wonderful speech and yes she did talk about JK. I also think Obama was superb. He is a rising star and one day I believe we will see him nominated either for president or Vp or both.

[displacedtexan]

10. I've got an idea!

Try our DU spell checker!

BTW, your relatives probably hated Jackie Kennedy, too, didn't they?

[WyLoochka]

38. and Eleanor Roosevelt too

I'll bet.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nonews]

23. fine, attack me, but...

you are all missing the point. The Dems this fall have to apppeal to the middle of the road here, THK will piss these people off. The 13 year old little girl from San Fran did a better job. Now that was good planning.

[trumad]

26. Yah..just like Hillary huh..

That statement proves you know nothing about politics.

[H2O Man]

Random .....

didn't attack you. Random exposed you.

[Lerkfish]

35. errrr

I think repugs are personally threatened by strong women. therefore WE NEED to parade more intelligent women in front of them...it rattles their cage. after all, who do they hold up as an inteligent femae? coulter!
LOL
teresa would make a GREAT first lady, if for no other reason, she speaks 10 languages,,,,talk about a diplomlomatic treasure!

[WyLoochka]

42. Theresa will piss the fundie men off

and inspire some of their women to rebel!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kipepeo]

127. NO SHE WON'T

You are feeding us Repuke spin.

There is absolutely nothing about her that somehow will "piss people off." Give me an effing break! And give swing voters a little more credit.

[kentuck]

12. What the hell were you watching ???

:shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. whatever!

she is a wonderful strong woman. its hardly her fault that most peopel are sexist and stupid

[spanone]

14. Bullshit. She did fine. At least she has a mind to speak.

And I am being honest HERE.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. i absolutely agree with you

[H2O Man]

I really liked

what Obama said about how the other side will try to divide us. We need to keep our eyes open, because republicans will be trying to slip silly things in, even on DU, to say one democrat was better than another. But we'll recognize them. Every time.

[Skip Intro]

15. They were both great. I'd put THK against the Crawford wife any day.

[redqueen]

16. Uhhh... did we watch different speeches? I thought they were both GREAT!

Obama was fantastic... one of the best speeches so far.

Teresa the same... I loved her appeal to our better natures, as Americans, and her obvious REAL concern for American families.

[Junkdrawer]

17. Fishing for a wedge???

Isn't that exactly what Obama was against?

[Bombtrack]

18. theresa was unwatchable to me, Obama was breathtaking.

I agree.

[RandomKoolzip]

22. No, they both rocked.

Obama was definitely more impressive, though.

[redqueen]

25. Why?

Care to provide any reasons why you think Teresa was unwatchable?

[Bombtrack]

31. Well, her huge pauses in between thoughts for starters

Alot of things. I don't understand why I'm getting bashed for taste in speakers. I just find certain people unlistenable even if I agree with most of what they're saying. Same thing with Gephardt.

[redqueen]

39. Pauses?

Sorry... I just don't get it... I thought her speech was wonderful.

As for me I was falling asleep during Ted's speech. Had no problem listening to Teresa, though.

However I don't think some people's issue with her is really that she takes long pauses or whatever... I think it's because they see an opportunity to divide people in our party against each other.

[Love Bug]

49. The woman was giving a speech in a language not native to her

give her a break! I thought she did fine.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

131. Pauses?

Well, for all her multilingual abilities, English is NOT her first language.

Let's see you make a speech in a foreign language and count the pauses you make.

[trumad]

28. Ahh the old Bombtrack has to pipe in with his daily dis

I was wondering where you were...

[Lex]

21. How many times does it have to be explained that last night

Theresa Heinz Kerry was SUPPOSED to talk about herself--it was HER NIGHT to introduce herself to the delegates and to whomever was watching at home. It was NOT supposed to all be about John, although she did talk about him quite a bit.

I think you misunderstand what her speech was supposed to be about.

Also, I didn't find her 'condensenting' at all. She's a smart, intelligent and well-informed woman. That doesn't make me feel condescended to at all.

[Tellurian]

44. yep, Teresa represents the new face of the 21st century women..

all you chauvinists out there. Get used to "opinionated" women. Seems everyone has forgotten the advantages of living in a matriarchal society.
I suggest reading Jane Pagals for breathtaking insight.

[Blue-Jay]

67. Oh NO! Not opinionated women!

What's the world coming to when smart women actually stand up and speak their minds? It's anarchy, I tells ya!

:D

[Tellurian]

87. And..it's a good thing..

anyone wonder why the Busheys made sure Martha went to jail?

[Selwynn]

98. .

[lovedems]

24. "I have something to say"

As a stay at home not far from Peoria (most of the pundits didn't think she would play well to stay at home mom's from Peoria) I think she did a fabulous job. There isn't anything terrible about saying more families should have more time with their kids! There isn't anything terrible about women being called smart and well informed instead of "opinionated". Are you one who is angry because she spoke french at the beginning of her speech? I am sorry that your life long dem relatives are so shallow as to be turned off by a strong woman with something to say.

[sadiesworld]

27. I'm a bit confused on your point here.

The candidate and his wife shouldn't be allowed to speak? That's novel.

Or are you saying Obama should be the candidate? You know that is impossible, right? And even if it were possible, do you think Americans are going to vote for a 42 year old w/ no experience in a post-9/11 environment?

Or is your point that Teresa is so horrible we should just sit this one out.

Your post is stupid, malicious or both.

[nonews]

30. no malicious...

just trying to win here. Obama is the rising star, not ready for 'prime-time' yet. Of course, the candidate's spous should be able to speak. OK--here is a thought; have them take a few notes from the Bill and Hill book.

[Lerkfish]

47. umm..

not sure you're accomplishing your goal here...just help you out:

REPUBLICANS--weak-minded sheep that must conform to groupthink
democrats--A MELANGE or spectrum of various views and therefore LESS likely to be divided by wedging issuesor leaders against each other...


just posting here at DU what you think is a clever way to sow discord is appealing to the wrong demographic

nice try, tho

[Th1onein]

141. ditto

eom

[WyLoochka]

48. I like "Hill" but I gotta say

Theresa is far more engaging.

[Snellius]

29. Let's be honest here?

Somehow I never trust the honesty of anyone who tries to convince me "Let's be honest here".

[nonews]

36. It's ok to attack me, but...

that is not the point. Sorry I mispelled 'condensenting' and you don't like my board name and the expression, 'let's be honest,'

Well done! So what you're telling me that it is more important to attack a poster like myself then to figure out a way to win in the fall. THK will not be a help. Period!

[Lex]

43. Try to cope. THK is John Kerry's wife. She's not going anywhere.

Try to reconcile yourself to that fact.

It'll make life easier.

And, BTW, my moderate, middle-of-the road parents in their sixties think Theresa Heinz Kerry was wonderful last night and is an asset to the campaign.

[Robbien]

52. She will not appeal to those who like Stepford wives like those in the GOP

But we are a different and better party who offer much more than servile robot wives.

[Kool Kitty]

124. You do know that Mrs. Kerry isn't the one

running for President, right?

[Kipepeo]

128. THK will be a help for people

who don't go out of their way to vote based on sexism.

I don't know what your agenda is here but it smells...foul.

[Rockholm]

32. Where can we get some freeper spray?

Her speech was amazing. Are you getting your opinions from FAUX?

[slappypan]

33. my cat's breath

smells like catfood

[Nevernose]

Was that a Ralph Wiggum joke?

[faithnotgreed]

137. that was absolutely my man ralph - love that photo!!!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

34. lets be honest here, why should we care about your sexist relatives?

[RandomKoolzip]

46. Haha!

That was great.


Seriously, why do we even indulge obvious interlopers with low post counts who, after a big win for the Dems, come on to Dem boards and spout off about "Us," "We," "Let's," etc. Oh, yeah, suddenly johnny-come-lately-who-is-not-a-freeper knows what's good for us, right? Listen, Mr. nonews, we've experienced this shit before HUNDREDS of times. You guys have GOT to start thinking up new methods.

There's really only one response to such behavior, and it's represented by a little word in the bottom left hand corner of every post......

[Chovexani]

132. They're coming out of the woodwork aren't they?

Thought we sprayed for 'em. :shrug:

[floridaguy]

37. I was very impressed by her

Having seen her in St. Pete, I can tell you she has a real presence about her. I loved it when she spouted out 5, YES FIVE, different languages like it was nothing. Take that nukleer boy!

I'm not sure what part could be considered "condescenting"(sic) Would it be the part about attending college in South Africa and fighting Apartheid before it even got started? Or was it how she's been fighting for the envirnoment most of her life?

The Repukes are firing off crap about her like scuds off a carrier. There's a big complaint about the name thing. GeeZ! She wanted to honor her late husband and her current husband. I'm good with that. I wonder what they would say if Madonna was going to be our next first lady? Oh yeah, and it's simply fine for the VP to tell someone on the Senate floor to fuck himself, but when she tells a reporter who has been spewing crap about her for years to "shove it", somehow she's a loose cannon and "unfirstladylike".

Excuse my French, but "Fuck them". It's time for Democrats to go toe-to-toe with these bastards and I don't know about you but I'm in. As far as our "uppity" and "opinionated" women. I say, "Bring em'on". The inclusive Democratic party of the future will no longer be the WASPeee Boys Club. Women and people of color are part of our strength.

Lastly, I loved Barak Obama. He is simply a rising star of the party and reminds me of a young MLK with a little less preaching. No offense meant to MLK, an American hero.

As Obama said we are United in these United States of America!

Now let's get busy kicking some elephant ass!

[redqueen]

45. Good question - in what way was she condescending?

:shrug:

[oldcoot]

77. She also had lost an old friend the week before

Her son stated that an old family friend (Joe Clark?) had died a week before in his introduction. The death of a close friend combined with the stress of the convention might have contributed to her telling that "reporter" to "shove it." Under normal circumstances, she might have been more polite.

[soothsayer]

40. I think she's just such a great contrast to the wallpaper that L * is...

It gives you a glimpse of what could be. An intelligent First Lady, well traveled, well educated, a philanthropist, who could actually converse with our allies and global neighbors in their own languages!

Huzzah!

[lapislzi]

41. gods, they're coming out of the woodwork this a.m.

the poor spellers, the "life-long" dems, the ones who feel threatened by a strong, assertive woman.

Amazing.

Here's a clue, nonews: try the spell checker. Grammar is not just for sissies.

[RandomKoolzip]

50. Go through the archives:

Every time the left scores a big victory, or the right takes a hit, for some straaaaange reason, all of a sudden all sorts of newbies come to DU saying, "WE are going to lose unless WE stop doing X Y and Z."

It happened when Moore called Bush a deserter, it happened when Bush's AWOL came to light months later, it happened when The Plame thing hit the news, it happened hundreds of times before.

Seriously. Go through the archives.

Someone somewhere is giving orders. It's an orchestrated effort.

[nonews]

57. yea, that's it

I get a memo each morning telling me to go to the MB of the DU and piss off people. I do not post often, but that must be a "sign" that I must be some kind of "undercover operative." Yes, the memo also tells "us" mispell words and use phrases that piss people off.

[RandomKoolzip]

61. Hmmm. this new message has no misspelled words......

n/t

[Junkdrawer]

72. Strategic misspellings would tend to mask professional activity...

and posting "bombs" infrequently (or using various pseudonyms) does make it harder for the Admins to detect patterns.

[lapislzi]

88. I call it transparent

but then I'm one of those people so affectionately lampooned in "Eats, Shoots and Leaves." I'm sure our friend nonews would find me an insufferable pedant.

Wonder how mr./ms. nonews managed to suffer through Ms. Heinz Kerry's wonderful 5-language greeting?

Literacy can be a frightening thing to the willfully ignorant.

[chiburb]

86. He misspelled misspell...

Nonews has a habit of starting flamebait threads... I could prove it if advanced search wasn't down. What a moran.

[onefreespiritedchick]

102. Welcome to DU all Newbies on this thread!

If you haven't been welcomed before. Stay strong, keep an open-mind and enjoy your stay. And, please understand others are leery these days, due to constant disruptions by freepers, so please don't take this personally.

Peace...

[lapislzi]

66. Seen and noted

It just cracks me up; the transparency of it.

See, nonews? That was a semicolon! You can learn to use one, too. It's easy!

:puke:

[RandomKoolzip]

71. Rush Limpballs tells his listeners to come here.....

FoxNews issues "the memo" every morning.....

DU is THE target for the Cyber-right.

I've read the "Republican Noise Machine;" the right is VERY well-funded and very well-organized.

[davidwhite0570]

51. Hey, I take offense at that.....

I come here for like minded people.....just because I have a low post count does not make me freeper....

[La Lioness Priyanka]

you are only considered a freeper

if you have a low post count and start saying freeperish things...

[davidwhite0570]

68. Ok....I have been appeased....just kidding

No I am a true solid democrat.....I would never tell someone his opinion is wrong....I will leave that to the freedom of speech hating repugs...

[redqueen]

76. That's funny... I haven't seen anyone say the opinion is wrong

We're disagreeing. Is that such a foreign idea? That if someone posts an opinion that is widely disagreed with that people tell them so?

Honestly...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

53. you are only considered a freeper

if you have a low post count and start saying freeperish things...

[RandomKoolzip]

59. Yeah.

YOU didn't come here with a low post count and start saying things like, "LET'S stop bashing Bush. It makes US DEMS look bad."


The constant referring to "WE," "LET'S","US," etc. is a dead giveaway.

Like I said, there's somebody orchestrating this. Low-level internet damage control for the right. Hmmmmm....is Cato or Heritage money behind this?

[nonews]

63. you're serious, aren't you?

[RandomKoolzip]

65. Your tone has changed. Why?

We've seen this before. We notice patterns.

[nonews]

73. What patterns?

Ok I will stop using "we", "let's," and start using the spellchecker. It was just my opinion about THK, that's it. As far as my 'shallow' relatives, they loved Jackie, Hil and i do not think the 'average' Dem is going to warm up to THK--that's it. No pattern.

[RandomKoolzip]

75. I agree

[Hutzpa]

120. I disagree !!!!!

we tend to forget that some people came from a poor background to make it big, what is wrong in that, they are not stopping you 'neocons' are, why take a cheap shot at her, because of her family fortune, don't be envious, use it as a motivation not spite.


'If they can do it so can I' attitude. We allow ourself to get brainwashed by this repug "mumble jumble" so much we leave our intellect behind.

Now lets focus


:think:

[rman]

109. sure, we know all about the RW smear machine

also we're aware that we are "30 years and millions of dollars" behind the curve in the science of "framing the issues".
www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml

www.mediamatters.org

"Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative"
www.bookreporter.com/reviews/1400047285.asp

www.outfoxed.org

[MUSTANG_2004]

94. Why would Cato bother?

Cato isn't exactly a right-wing organization. As they advertise, they are a think-tank to promote "Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Markets and Peace". While they're generally closer to conservatives than liberals, if you think they are a tool of the GOP, check out their articles on the Iraq war:

http://www.cato.org/current/iraq/index.html

[RandomKoolzip]

103. And if you think they're honest, check out

David Brock's "The Republican Noise Machine."

Cato, Heritage, et al. and the other large, corporate-funded think tanks have been financing far-right extremism in all of its various forms for a long time. Now their power is almost unchecked. And they're very, very organized and dedicated to the establishment of a one-party system.


Their appearance of "magnanimity" is disingenuous. Take a look at who and what they fund, not their surface pronouncements.

It would not surprise me in the least to find out that the "Four Sisters" have been paying internet plants.

[MUSTANG_2004]

111. Call me crazy

But I do think Cato is honest. However, I'll confess to not knowing the details of what they finance. I'm basing my opinion entirely on the articles they publish and from hearing their representatives.

[RandomKoolzip]

112. Yeah, but that's kinda like trusting the Warren Commission.

"Sure, we'll find JFK's killer....sure......"

[Lydia Leftcoast]

135. The Cato Institute is libertarian

which means that they agree with the Democrats on social issues but think that the Republicans aren't into privatization enough and don't cut taxes on the rich enough.

[spooky3]

54. I got an email from my *-sympathizing friend in Australia...

She was blown away by Teresa and thinks her quiet strength and remarkable background, including her speaking so many languages beautifully, is very appealing. She now thinks Kerry will win the election.

[mzmolly]

55. Let's be honest? Actually, I doubt your motives are *honest*

:hi: I try won't respond to the disingenuous material in your post.

[in_cog_ni_to]

56. Teresa was terrible?

Bullshit.

[nostamj]

58. people who don't appreciate Teresa...

deserve four more years of Laura.

what utter rot. SHOVE IT

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sparkly]

62. Boy, you saw a different speech than I did.

"Did not talk about her husband at all."

What were you watching? I was watching Teresa Heinz Kerry, and she was wonderful -- warm, wise, witty, and strong. (I guess that's what you call "condensenting.")

[JerseygirlCT]

64. Why in the world do you need to set this up as an either/or?

That's just silliness.

She was wonderful last night -- warm and eloquent and engaging.

Obama was riveting -- history in the making.

They BOTH represent our party and do a great job at it.

Don't start silly fights over nonsense, huh?

[PA Democrat]

69. Was Teresa supposed to "dumb down" to appease people

who are offended by an intelligent and "opinionated" woman? It just amazes me that people are still intimidated by a strong and capable woman.

Personally, I feel that I have been "condescended" to every time bush gives a speech to "explain" issues to the masses. His "explanations" are moronic to anyone who has a brain. I recall him claiming Saddam wouldn't let the weapons inspectors into Iraq before the war. Now how condescending is that to people who saw those UN weapons inspectors right there on their TV screens?

[AmerDem]

70. "Let's be honest here".... you have got to be kidding!!

She was terrific! What in the world were you watching? Perhaps it's what you weren't watching!:wtf:

[shawmut]

74. Thanks for the RW talking point

But Teresa was great. Sorry.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

78. Isn't it "admiration" not "admoration"?

:eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

79. you are so wrong and are sprewing RW talking point...she was great!

as was obama

[vetwife]

81. She was there to introduce herself not her husband that happens Thu

She did great !

[Zynx]

80. I totally disagree with that assessment.

She did talk about John a fair amount, but she was talking about bigger concepts than that most of the time.

[CWebster]

82. I liked her and that says something.

Unconventional, international, interesting, outspoken, independent and self assured as a woman with a genuine nurturing quality.

I think she will prove to be Kerry's best asset--through her warmth she humanizes him.

[chiburb]

89. Wow!

Coming from you...
I agree btw.

[peacetalksforall]

83. C-Span kept the camera on her when they were campaigning...

I was wildly impressed. She is one down to earth person. And she will be an instrument in the healing of America around the world. There couldn't be anyone more perfect in this time and day.

[Cha]

91. I agree Teresa is perfect and anyone who is nitpicking

her superb speech last night is just a nitpicker and not seeing the bigger picture here. Teresa is a well accomplished woman in her own right. I had never seen or heard her before..it was my first introduction to her and I was impressed!

[Cha]

84. I'm sick of all this comparisons in speeches. This

isn't a fucking contest. Each brings there own experiences to their speeches and each has a Big Contribution to make.

I loved Teresa's Speech..it was very empowering and I got to know her as person more and get a sense of what she will be like as First Lady of our Nation.

[Sweet Freedom]

85. I think she's a multifaceted woman who appeals to

a multitude of Americans. I think she came across as an independent intelligent woman (the type often accused of being condescending).

I think she appeals to intelligent and outspoken women, (and the men who marry them -- as well as their children) immigrant families (even those going back several generations), Hispanics, African-Americans, the highly educated, tree-huggers, philanthropists, humanitarians, the young, the old, the rich and the poor, just to name a few.

I can't imagine why any Dem would be pissed about her. (In fact, I have more respect for Kerry knowing that he had the guts to marry such a tough woman.)

Besides, if someone is going to look down their nose at me, I'd rather it be Teresa than smirky anyday! :thumbsup:

[dryan]

90. I thought her speech...

was very nice. She's not a lifelong politician or someone running for office, so what. Her demeanor is very continental. These presentations are not all supposed to be worthy of the Oxford Union.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

92. Go away.

[floridaguy]

93. Wow, is this the same group who tore into each other during the primary?

Isn't it great to see us come together at the right time for the right cause? I was just thinking about that last week when the mods took all the "civil discourse" rules off, and we took off the gloves.
Some of it wasn't pretty, and I confess to at least a small dip into the mud, but it's because of our passion, and it's our passion, and our ability to convey it to the rest of the country, which will win this election.

While the DU admins and others are at the convention, why don't we show our gratitude by getting them a present or something? Or maybe we can just start a thread that tells the DU admins how grateful we are for this opportunity and how much we appreciate their efforts.
Now it's a secret, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

But seriously, it's great to see us come to the defense of THK this way, because it shows our solidarity at this point. We all agree on one thing. BUSH MUST GO! Now for the next 98 days let's put the bigger differences aside, and elect Kerry & Edwards.

Who's in?
:grouphug

[Butterflies]

100. I so agree!

During the primaries I avoided DU for awhile, but now I love it again. This convention has been a blast to watch. I feel more optimism for our party than I've ever felt. Obama had it all in his speech last night. :-)

[Strawman]

95. Keeping our brains and diversity in the closet is no way to win

For what it's worth, I enjoyed hearing THK speak, but who knows how everyone will react to it or to her. Some will like her because she's real, and she has spunk and intelligence and shares their values and other people will be turned off because they will think she is somehow different from them or putting on airs by speaking all those languages. There is an anti-intellectual, xenophobic strain in American politics. I don't think pandering to it by keeping our brains and diversity in the closet is the way we win. That's why the theme that strength and wisdom are not mutually exclusive is such an appropriate theme for this campaign.

It's sad how the right turns elections into lifestyle referrenda. That's the only chance they have to win. They already have a playbook on Theresa Heinz Kerry. They know that your average person like me would feel out of place at her mansion or in her social circles and they pander to the resentment people feel about their "place" in society while doing everything in their power to cement those same heirarchies. They create suspicion that JK and THK somehow think they're better than the rest of us, and tell us that come November we can knock them down a peg or two and affirm our lifestyle over theirs. The Bushes on the other hand look just like that nice family down the block that go to your church. They're the picture of affirmation of your "authentic," "mainstream," "normal", "average" American lifestyle. No need to look any deeper than that folks.

We'll never win if we play into that stupid kind of thinking. We'll never win if our answer is to muzzle THK or try to make her act like Kathy Lee Gifford or Elizabeth Dole. We just need to shine some sunlight on their bullshit tactic and make people aware that they are being cynically manipulated. Ultimately, we are not voting in November for who has the most personable wife or who would be more likley to invite you over to their yard for a game of horseshoes. As Jon Stewart pointed out on NBC Monday night, this isn't about the "wives race." Even if we win these kinds of tangential arguments the right has succeeded by distracting attention from the issues. We need to speak to how we affirm all Americans in a way that, unlike the Republicans, is materially signifcant. Obama did that perfectly and I think THK spoke to that as well.

[sangh0]

96. I like how some are so motivated to defeat Bush*, they register on DU

so they can diss THK.

[meatloaf]

97. Well if the replies are any indication, your opinion

isn't shared by the majority.

[Selwynn]

99. Yes, intelligent, opinionated, idependant woman should STFU and STAY HOME!

I mean, as long as we're "being honest"

:eyes:

[Quahog]

101. There is some ground between "rocks" and "sucks"

I thought the content of Teresa's speech was very strong. I like the fact that she has positions on policy issues, I like the fact that she has a multicultural background, and I'm glad that she's fluent in several languages.

She is clearly not, however, totally at ease in the kind of speaking situation in which she found herself last night. She seemed a little nervous. That's OK... she's not the candidate, she's the wife of the candidate. I enjoyed hearing what she had to say.

She had a tough act to follow in Barack Obama. His speech was absolutely sensational, inspiring, moving and uplifting. You could hear the crowd's response, you could see it in the tear-streaked faces in the Fleet Center... he GOT TO US. I will be very interested in watching his career going forward, he has a remarkable vision.

Obama is a politician. Teresa Heinz-Kerry is a politician's wife (albeit one with a mind of her own, not just a decorative fixture, thank God). They serve different roles in the campaign, and they both did extremely well last night.

Considering how we're always bashing the rethugs for not seeing shades of gray, we sure seem to get into black and white evaluations of our own party. Someone either rules, or their utterly horrid. I think there's a middle ground for T H-K. She was not spectacular, but she shared some important ideas and gave people who didn't know her a glimpse into her mind and heart. That's all she needed to do, it wasn't up to her to win the thing for her husband.

Obama fucking RULES, though.

[merh]

105. That was your opinion....

Others thought she did a wonderful job.

Two different points of view, two different perspectives, two different speakers.

THK has been attacked in the media because of the shove it line, she had the right to come out and defend herself and to show that she will not back down. I admire her for her stance and her conviction and I think you just came on board to post negatives.

[rman]

106. some would like Dems to change the winning horse mid-race

Though Obama sure looks good as a candidate for the next round.

[chiburb]

107. But I hear she makes a great meatloaf!

Thad shud apeez yor sexiest relitivs. probly a god lay to!

[Swede]

108. I bet your an independent that will vote repulican now.

All freeper lurkers say that before being tombstoned.

[mumon]

110. phhhhfft,,,,

they were BOTH good.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

113. She didn't talk about Kerry at ALL?

Did you and I watch the same speech? She spent the last HALF of the speech talking about nothing but how good her husband would be for this country.

Go spew it somewhere else, I ain't buying it.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

114. Also

why are you even comparing Obama to THK? They aren't in the same positions--he's running for Senate, she's probably going to be our next First Lady. Apples to bananas.

[Logansquare]

115. Look, Obama was so phenomenal that everyone else pales a bit

I thought she did very well. The speech had to be about her, because Americans have special (often unrealistic) expectations of their first ladies, and she needed to introduce herself officially as a woman who was up to a tough job. Obama burned the barn down though, and I have to feel a little pity for anyone who followed him.

[AngryAmish]

116. What is wrong with you people. Stop bashing her.

She is the best woman America has ever produced. Her speech last night was stellar. You can tell she is an educated intelligent person. There is no way not to know that after watching her last night.

[Generator]

117. I like her a lot but has anybody figured out

that she's not running? Nor will she be elected. All comparisons to other "first wives" are fair. Comparisions to those running for office are not.

Now, leave her the fuck alone. Let's Bash Barbara Bush or something. She's the orignal tomb of our troubles.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

118. "as a Dem" was your first mistake!

See ya real soon :eyes:

[Hutzpa]

119. Are you trying to divide us

in a very clever way? This does come across to me as cynicism trying to antagonize the crowd by asking irrelevant question. Why fault someone for being "opinionated" as she herself put it, can't you think of the positive rather than the negative, do yo know how many freepers lurking around when posing such question, why don't we try being positive for once in our life.

This is the United States of America not the divided States, get it!!!!! now please go somewhere else and have fun.




:silly: :freak:

[RetroLounge]

121. Let's be honest here

Your wrong, your post is uniformed, and you should really turn off Rush

and your life-long Dem relatives will have no problem with a strong intelligent woman. If they are really Dems.

Unless of course your post is just more bullshit from a 38 post newbie trying to sow discord. Could be that, could it? Nah... Of course not.

RL

[Blue_Roses]

122. God, don't you people have anything else to do than bash

our next first lady ...geeze..:eyes: guess not since you follow your leader --Bush--who has done NOTHING but make a mess of this country.

A low post count since 2002, says it all--go "wedge" yourself with your own party.

[Auntie Bush]

123. You sound like a divider!

I instinctively like uniters better.

Check around...there are plenty of sites that would find you much more welcome. Why don't you play over there...Novak just said he doesn't like her either...so I'm sure you would be most welcome under his rock...where you could craft some nice wedges.

[Kipepeo]

125. screw that!

I thought Teresa was EXCELLENT and really resonated with me as a woman.

If I wanted to hear whiny garbage about how she's not "traditional" and she didn't talk about her "hubby" enough and she talked about policy which is "dangerous" for a first lady...I'd turn on MSNBC or FAUX news. They've pretty much got that SEXIST angle covered with no help from you.

:puke:

If you want a Stepford robot of a first lady then I guess you really can do no better than the empty headed Laura Bush.

Obama rocked my socks off! As did Teresa!

[bagnana]

136. I do wish she shared a more personal side of her husband

She talked a lot about his principles and vision but not so much about him as a person, which I think she would have been singularly able to do. The only person who did that was the Rev. who talked about how Kerry reassure and inspired his crew in Vietnam. I think more stories about him the person instead of him the candidate, would have made people get to know him better and through her eyes. That being said, the rest was fine and I still really like her.

[hippiegranny]

126. instead of comparing apples to lima beans...

try comparing the grace, intelligence and comminity service of THK to that vapid, overmedicated lady who lunches - Laura Butsch.

Obama was definitely terrific, but so was Teresa. Just a difference of styles. there's room for more than one type of message. lighten up.

[dissention]

129. I'm not an Obama fan

I thought he used the opportunity to promote himself and his own platform in the Senate race. His speech will make it impossible for Edwards to ever use his "Two Americas" speech again and gave the right wing some ammo in the process. Plus, there's something about him that just rubs me the wrong way. I don't know what, though. LOL

[bagnana]

133. Maybe it was his effectiveness

that rubbed you the wrong way.

[against all enemies]

134. read the speech, he brings hope and youth.

You know he still has a senate seat to win. The Repukes fear him, he can get cross over votes from good citizens. The only ammo the right can get to attack him is for their racist backers.

[Auntie Bush]

138. Obama really scares all the Freepers. They flock over here in

droves trying to put out his light because they know what a force he will be to deal with in the future.

What's Jebby to do? Boooo Hooooo. :cry:
Ooooh he's scared :scared:

[Hutzpa]

139. Imagine that!!!

I thought he used the opportunity to promote himself and his own platform in the Senate race.

What!! what color is your hearing (deliberate connotation), suppose its racist (slash) being cynical right! wonder what might have upset you so much that you felt rubbed the wrong way....oh I get it "in the red state we have gay friends too" don't like being expose eh!! but see no evil in lambasting the other, well son! wake and smell the stench, better start running because we are coming and coming we are.



:dem:

[daligirrl]

140. The little freeps are like cucarachas today, no?

I should have worn my pointy shoes!

[LWolf]

142. It's time we put a stop to

referring to strong, intelligent, opinionated, outspoken women as anything but exactly that.

It's time we put a stop to portraying them as "condescending," and all of those other labels that I won't repeat here. Our last legitimate first lady, Hillary, has been demonized for those very traits. We ought to be welcoming them and celebrating them in our next first lady, and telling those who would do otherwise to "shove it."

It's time we celebrated and honored our strong, outspoken, intelligent women.

THK could only have done one thing to improve her time on the podium last night, imho. Or maybe not. If it were me, I would have done it differently, but then again I'm not planning on being the first lady of the U.S.

I would have stopped right in the middle of a sentence and publicly requested security to leave Medea Benjamin alone. And reminded everyone, publicly, that we aren't afraid of the expression of dissent, and don't need to protect ourselves from it. That our free expression makes us stronger. And with that welcome, I would have picked up right where I left off.

As far as what she had to say, and how she said it, I think she did us proud.

[UdoKier]

143. Heinz Kerry was fine.

Sadly, some people can't see past even the faintest of accents.

[nomatrix]

144. Last night was the 1st time I heard her

To start off with,

"Your father would be so proud of you" (Heinz):hug:

and her sons admiration of her,:grouphug:

and the work she has done with the foundation,O8)

speaking 5 languages (fluently)as a translator,:wow:

as an attractive 65 yr. old woman, with a beautiful accent,:loveya:

freely speaking her mind, and not screaming into the mike,:yourock:

I thought she was awsome.:kick:

[dissention]

145. My apologies to anyone I "offended" with my opinion.

I didn't know we had to worship every Democrat that speaks at the convention. Yeah, I'm a real freeper because Obama didn't knock my socks off. How pathetic and insulting. Now I see that if anyone dares say anything critical of a fellow liberal or democrat, they're automatically branded one of those bastard freepers.

You remind me of those asshole Rethuglicans who bashed the Dixie Chicks because they spoke their mind.

[nomatrix]

146. Are you addressing me?

As to a reply to my 1st impression of Teresa Heinz Kerry, your post is incoherent.

You are new to DU, so I will offer you some advice.

Shove It!