We're going to win because of one word: VALUES

[IrateCitizen]

I admit, I was never all that enthused about John Kerry's candidacy, at least nowhere close to as much as I was mortified about the prospect of another four years of Dim Son. But, after having read Kerry's speech today, I must say that I'm a bit more excited.

The reason I'm excited is because Kerry captured for the Democrats, in one acceptance speech, what has traditionally been the strongest reference for the Republicans over the past 35 years: VALUES.

John Kerry stood up and boldly demonstrated that the Democratic Party was no longer going to be defensive about VALUES. Instead, he said that the values that the Democratic Party stands for are the values held by most Americans -- and he's right. Although his speech didn't really contain specific policy statements, he showed a willingness to look at some of the important issues of the day, rather than being caught up in arguments over abortion and gun rights.

Furthermore, as E.J. Dionne pointed out in his column in today's Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A26137-2004Jul29?language=printer), every time the Republicans now try their divisive tactics, the Democrats can respond with a Reaganesque "There they go again." Furthermore, instead of relentlessly chasing the center, this convention signaled that the Democratic Party seems more set to move the center back toward them.

As a leftist progressive, there are many things that the Kerry campaign leaves me wanting on. But there is certainly enough there that I can easily live with, and even support. As the old saying goes, "A successful politician goes to where the people are, and then leads them to where he wants to go." For the first time in a long time, I see this being exhibited by the Democratic Party, and it makes me significantly more excited not only about our prospects in November, but for the future as well.

[Melodybe]

1. Yes, I agree 100%

you should watch the speech, It is better to watch him say it. I am so proud that Kerry wrote it himself, makes me like him like ten million times more.

[IrateCitizen]

2. Yeah, well, I don't exactly have access to a TV right now...

I'm spending my summer on Army Reserves training in Southern Arizona -- and don't have any access to television.

[girl gone mad]

3. JK put it very eloquently last night.

Like many here, I followed the primaries very closely. Wes Clark was effective on the campaign trail when he made the same points. To paraphrase Clark: economic security is a family value, access to affordable healthcare is a family value, having a clean environment is a family value. I'm glad that Kerry has adopted that line of thinking, because they are absolutely right. Democratic values are mainstream American values.

[bbodaies]

4. Kerry's speech....

I was quite disappointed in his speech...am I the only one who thought he sounded like a repukelican?

Truthfully, how did he differenciate himself?

[MasonJar]

6. There are so many ways that anyone who does not recognize

them must have watched the speech on Fox. Ending lies, ending deficit, ending National Guard debacle, protecting the environment, giving people a living wage, protecting American jobs, new technology for jobs and for our environment, protecting the veterans, providing for our troops, never sending our young people to war for lies, protecting our liberties, etc.,etc.

[girl gone mad]

7. Don't forget..

equal rights for women, affordable healthcare, reducing taxes on the middle class, eliminating taxes on the lower class, reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

What speech was he watching? Because Kerry was much more liberal and detailed than I expected him to be.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Wow..the same could be said about this post

and this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2114593#2115287

[Kanary]

5. I was just rewatching George Lakoff on NOW talking about "FRaming"

the language, and there was quite a segment about "values", and what the DEMs have to do to reclaim the word.

I would suggest all those who want to campaign for Kerry to review what Lakoff said about this.... he was right on target. IMO

Kanary

[IrateCitizen]

10. I've read a lot from Lakoff over the last year...

And I think that he should be very pleased with Kerry's speech last night. It was full of references to "values" -- along with an admonition of the Republicans to paying lip service to "values" and only using them as tools to divide the electorate while ignoring the real issues.

I consider myself to be a pretty left-wing, progressive democrat -- and although Kerry didn't give me nearly everything I would want, he gave me a start that I can live with. As I mentioned in the PJ O'Rourke article I cited above, Kerry's speech (and the convention, for that matter) ended the counterproductive strategy of chasing the center as it moves right, and instead may have started moving the center back to the Democrats.

I'm even getting confident about coattails come November! :bounce:

[Kanary]

11. He said a lot of important things, but the one that stuck in my mind

the most was "war on terror" HAS to go -- it gives away all the power. As a war protester the last 35 year, I've never like *any* of this "war on......" stuff. It's so clear that we all need to get rid of that in our own language, and Latkoff was very emphatic about it. His admontiont that we use "terrorists" rather than "war on terror" made complete sense to me. So, I was wincing even more than usual when some of the other speakers resorted to that RW "war on terror" phrase in their speeches.

I haven't read any of this books, but I'd like to. I'm sure there is lots I could learn from him.

Kanary

[Bandit]

8. And one of the biggest Values is "Integrity"

Kerry has it Bush* doesn't. Plain and Simple.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. Nice thoughts

thanks.