Ted Kennedy: Our Values Are Still Our Greatest Strength

[kerrygoddess]

Ted Kennedy: Our Values Are Still Our Greatest Strength
12 January 2005


In a speech at the National Press Club, Ted Kennedy stressed that "our values are still our greatest strength". Here's an excerpt from that speech:

Unlike the Republican Party, we believe our values unite us as Americans, instead of dividing us. If the White House’s idea of bipartisanship is that we have to buy whatever partisan ideas they send us, we’re not interested.

In fact, our values are still our greatest strength. Despite resistance, setbacks, and periods of backlash over the years, our values have moved us closer to the ideal with which America began – that all people are created equal. And when Democrats say "all," we mean "all."

We have an Administration that falsely hypes almost every issue as a crisis. They did it on Iraq, and they are doing it now on Social Security. They exploit the politics of fear and division, while ours is a politics of hope and unity.

In the face of their tactics, we cannot move our party or our nation forward under pale colors and timid voices. We cannot become Republican clones. If we do, we will lose again, and deserve to lose. As I have said on other occasions, the last thing this country needs is two Republican parties.

Today, I propose a progressive vision for America, a vision that Democrats must fight for in the months and years ahead – a vision rooted in our basic values of opportunity, fairness, tolerance, and respect for each other.

These founding beliefs are still the essence of the American dream today.

That dream is the North Star of the Democratic Party – the compass that guides our policies and sets our course to freedom and opportunity, to fairness and justice – not just for the few, not just for some, but for all.

At our best, in all the great causes for which our party has stood, we have kept that dream alive for all Americans, even and especially in difficult times, and we will not fail to do so now.


More & Link to Speech - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=210

[CountAllVotes]

1. great speech Ted!!!

:kick:

[kerrygoddess]

2. Speech is live streaming now on TK's website

http://kennedy.senate.gov/index_high.html

[forintegrity]

3. Actions speak louder than words, Ted...

What did he vote last week after the Electoral Vote Debate?

And what is Ted doing about blocking the nomination of this Gonzalez torturer?

No time like the present to show where your values are!!!

[kerrygoddess]

4. Electoral Debate

The Electoral Debate was NOT about how any Congressperson or Senator voted! What part of that do you not understand?

[MaineDem]

6. Did you hear what he said about Gonzalez???

Read a transcript and then ask that question again.

[kerrygoddess]

7. The question asked about Gonzales

The question asked about Gonzales gave a good look at what Kennedy thinks about Gonzales!

I believe the letter he sent Gonzales is on his website.

[MaineDem]

5. Fantastic speech!

I'm going to keep a copy with me.

[kerrygoddess]

8. Love TK

I grew up in MA and have always loved TK. It was easy to become a Kerry democrat after spending most of my life being a Kennedy democrat.

[buddhamama]

9. great speech

i listened to it today. I loved how he kept saying "Progressive vision". I laughed out loud when he spoke of the anti-science right-wing nonsense :thumbsup:

[kerrygoddess]

10. The Lion has still got it in my opinion!

Long may he roar!

[Zenlitened]

16. That same image popped into my head, the old lion roars

Ted Kennedy, perhaps more than anyone in congress today, is the one to make the jungle shake now.

He's had a long career, doesn't need to suck up to anybody. He's a lightning rod (if I may mix metaphors) in a media environment where being a lightning rod can be turned to one's own advantage.

And, if I understand correctly, he HAS NOT FORGOTTEN that he invited Bush on board with his signature, career-capping eduction reform plan... and Bush turned it into manure.

Be PISSED, Ted. Call 'em like you see 'em. No newspaper or TV "reporter" can resist the mighty roar of a Kennedy flaying the flesh off Bush and his corrupt cronies. Well-reasoned statements and analyses? Nah, save it for later. Right now, tell 'em, "Welcome to the jungle."

[mother earth]

11. Listened to his speech today on C-Span, he is fantastic &

he is absolutely on target! Everything he said was right on, all of it, I emailed him immediately after the speech to thank him for his endless work. We are so lucky to have him. I especially enjoyed what he said about election reform, but all of that speech was phenomenal. He speaks to my heart, we don't have to change a darn thing about our party!

[kerrygoddess]

12. I agree

I loved what he said about values. TK is the man.

[kerrygoddess]

13. WP Story on this...

Kennedy Exhorts Democrats on Social Programs

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 13, 2005; Page A10

Democrats not only must stick to their principles despite recent election setbacks, but they should also push to expand signature programs such as Medicare, paid family leave and tuition aid, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said in a speech yesterday.

The speech, billed as a major address on his party's future, was the latest in a series of internal examinations and calls to arms by Democratic leaders reacting to President Bush's reelection and Republicans' continued control of Congress.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3936-2005Jan12.html

[KnowerOfLogic]

14. What values? When has the Democratic party ever stood for anything

....remotely resembling 'values'....lately, anyway?

[TaleWgnDg]

15. Aaaah, Ted is the best. The very best . . . n/t