Where is this man? Ted Kennedy's 1980 Speech at the DNC

[mattclearing]

I read this again a moment ago and thought I'd call attention to this great moment in Democratic Party history...

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedykennedy1980dnc.htm

"The commitment I seek is not to outworn views but to old values that will never wear out. Programs may sometimes become obsolete, but the ideal of fairness always endures. Circumstances may change, but the work of compassion must continue. It is surely correct that we cannot solve problems by throwing money at them, but it is also correct that we dare not throw out our national problems onto a scrap heap of inattention and indifference. The poor may be out of political fashion, but they are not without human needs. The middle class may be angry, but they have not lost the dream that all Americans can advance together."

"The demand of our people in 1980 is not for smaller government or bigger government but for better government. Some say that government is always bad and that spending for basic social programs is the root of our economic evils. But we reply: The present inflation and recession cost our economy 200 billion dollars a year. We reply: Inflation and unemployment are the biggest spenders of all."

"The task of leadership in 1980 is not to parade scapegoats or to seek refuge in reaction, but to match our power to the possibilities of progress. While others talked of free enterprise, it was the Democratic Party that acted and we ended excessive regulation in the airline and trucking industry, and we restored competition to the marketplace. And I take some satisfaction that this deregulation legislation that I sponsored and passed in the Congress of the United States."

"As Democrats we recognize that each generation of Americans has a rendezvous with a different reality. The answers of one generation become the questions of the next generation. But there is a guiding star in the American firmament. It is as old as the revolutionary belief that all people are created equal, and as clear as the contemporary condition of Liberty City and the South Bronx. Again and again Democratic leaders have followed that star and they have given new meaning to the old values of liberty and justice for all."

Where is the person who will renew the call of populist values of the Democratic Party?

Who will righteously claim the moral high ground that has always been the Democrats' own for the taking?

The Republicans only win when we let them.

It's time for Democrats to stand up for themselves like this again, and to keep doing so every single day until social justice and economic fairness, as well as international stability and justice are accepted as the common goals of mankind and the noble intentions of every American.

[marcologico]

1. "The Republicans only win when we let them. "

It doesn't get any better than that!

:toast:

[pstans]

2. I hope the Dems prove us right tomorrow

"But there is a guiding star in the American firmament. It is as old as the revolutionary belief that all people are created equal, and as clear as the contemporary condition of Liberty City and the South Bronx. Again and again Democratic leaders have followed that star and they have given new meaning to the old values of liberty and justice for all."

[hopein08]

3. I love Ted Kennedy!

My favorite lines from this...

snip...

"We must not permit the Republicans to seize and run on the slogans of prosperity...The Grand Old Party thinks it has found a great new trick, but 40 years ago an earlier generation of Republicans attempted the same trick. And Franklin Roosevelt himself replied, "Most Republican leaders have bitterly fought and blocked the forward surge of average men and women in their pursuit of happiness. Let us not be deluded that overnight those leaders have suddenly become the friends of average men and women."..."You know," he continued, "very few of us are that gullible." And four years later when the Republicans tried that trick again, Franklin Roosevelt asked, "Can the Old Guard pass itself off as the New Deal? I think not. We have all seen many marvelous stunts in the circus, but no performing elephant could turn a handspring without falling flat on its back."..."There were some -- There were some who said we should be silent about our differences on issues during this convention, but the heritage of the Democratic Party has been a history of democracy."For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

Thank you for posting this link!

[marcologico]

6. looks like he had JFK's 1960 nomination acceptance speech in mind:

Ted:

"The commitment I seek is not to outworn views but to old values that will never wear out."

Jack:

"I am asking each of you to be new pioneers on that New Frontier. My call is to the young in heart, regardless of age--to the stout in spirit, regardless of party--to all who respond to the scriptural call: 'be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.'"

Both great speeches. They don't write 'em like that any more!!

:toast:

[David Dunham]

4. Bob Shrum wrote that speech for Kennedy

[marcologico]

7. no wonder Kerry put him in the campaign!

[LiviaOlivia]

5. FYI-Kennedy to speak Jan 12

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy to Address the National Press Club
1/3/2005 11:41:00 AM
Press Release

In the wake of John Kerry's 2004 presidential election loss and Republican gains in the House and Senate, one of the country's leading Democrats, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, will carve out his vision for the Democratic party and the nation in a speech Jan. 12 at the National Press Club.

Kennedy, who is preparing to run for a ninth term in 2006, was a prominent advisor to Kerry during the 2004 election, campaigning across the country -- including early primary battles in Iowa and New Hampshire.

One of the most powerful liberal voices in the Senate, Kennedy has been a key architect of a broad body of education, health care and social service legislation. Just last month he joined President Bush at the White House for the signing of a major revision to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Kennedy's Press Club speech, titled "A Democratic Blueprint for America's Future," will focus on some of the priorities he believes the party should work toward as the nation moves forward.

The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12. His remarks will begin at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=41145