Hands down the best speech I have ever heard Clinton give

[dolstein]

I haven't tried to hide my disappointment with Clinton's previous speeches, which I have often found to be long-winded and overstuffed. But tonight's speech was different. It was (comparatively) brief. It was focused. It was articulate, rhetorical, but with a minimum of cliche.

And most importantly, Clinton has summed up, in a was few others could, the differences between Democrats and Republicans. He has highlighted our different priorities. And he has made the case for Kerry in a way that I doubt even Kerry could. And he did so with humor, wit and humility. He made a devastating critique of the Republicans, but with a light touch, leaving nary a finger print on the tattered elephant corpse.

Damn, I wish we could nominate this guy again.

[Cha]

1. It was a damn fine speech!

[NMDemDist2]

2. agreed, definately one of his very best n/t

[Old and In the Way]

3. best.speech.ever.

He hit a grand slam.....what a way to end the night!

[lostnfound]

4. I really liked the linking of the assault weapons ban with terrorism.

It is a sensible point -- lifting the assault weapon ban at a time when you are supposedly worried about terrorists is pretty irrational. I.e., the DC snipers might have foregone rifles and wiped out whole groups in a crowd.

[TexasProgresive]

8. And the removal of 700 of NYPD

Not to mention the other 799,300 police officers removed from America's streets. These cops are the ones who actually enabled their departments to patrol neighborhoods and relate to the people.

[RoyGBiv]

5. Self-Deprecation

Someone in the Big Dawwwwg thread pointed out that the way he talked about tax cuts would make freepers heads explode. Bush's policies benefit people like Clinton, not average Americans. 'Twas beautiful.

I am truly inspired. I rarely say that about a political speech or any speech for that matter. He was on fire.

Don't mess with the Big Dog. The Big Dog will bite.

There's a few wingnuts running around with huge chunks taken out of their pants tonight.

[cliss]

10. Isn't that more or less descriptive of the Democrats?

They just have style. They're eloquent. They're attractive. People are attracted to them.

Now compare that with the Freeps. They're humourless, they're stodgy, they're evil and disgusting. Seriously. Who would listen to a Repub when they could go listen to a Democrat?

[Rowdyboy]

6. I've always thought Clinton was an excellent speaker

(except for his nominating speech in 1988). However, tonight, he blew me away. He is POWERFUL

[NEDem]

7. Amazing speech

One of the best he's given.

I am still in awe of Jimmy Carter's speech earlier. He floored me. I've never seen him say ANYTHING bad about anybody. If Carter is pissed off with you, you really must be a complete f0ck up.

[5thGenDemocrat]

14. Yes, Clinton's speech was marvelous

But Jimmy Carter's comment on his and Kerry's respective military service -- as opposed to Dopey's, "we showed up for our assignments," was a classic (I know I'm paraphrasing -- I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor, too).
John
One good thing about aging -- you learn to say what's on your mind and if someone doesn't like it -- tough.

[Scooter24]

9. Simply

AMAZING

Breathless...Powerful...Uplifting...Spirited...etc.

[glarius]

11. He said everything EXACTLY right!

It was the right length, right emphasis on co-operating with the rest of the world (I'm Canadian), right emphasis on Kerry's qualities....EVERYTHING was right....And he did the right amout of Bush-bashing!.....It was amazing!

[fujiyama]

12. Greatest part

was how he said that not Cheney, not Bush, and not HIMSELF went and faught for their country in Vietnam. He made it clear that Kerry was born into privelage, but decided to VOLUNTEER.

It was also a great way to highlight the differences between the parties. All in all, it was a terrific speech and I think it will be difficult for anyone else to top it.

[OneBlueSky]

13. Clinton's speech was perfect . . .

not good . . . not great . . . perfect! . . . he did exactly what was needed, articulating the differences between us and them in a way that anyone can understand . . . the notion of freepers contemplating their vote for Bush putting money in Clinton's pocket had me damn near rolling on the floor . . . best speech of his life, and the best I've ever heard other than Martin Luther King's address at the March on Washington . . . damn, he's good! . . .

[uhhuh]

16. Some of the more imaginative freepers

Might even be able to make the correlation between Clinton benefitting from the tax cuts AND those "rich liberal hollywood elites", and billionaire George Soros!!!

That's gotta hurt...

[Hekate]

15. President Clinton had the audience in the palm of his hand...

Did you see the faces in the crowd when the camera panned out? People were incredibly moved. My husband and I were virtually moved to tears by Bill Clinton's performance, and we were 3000 miles away. It was absolutely stunning.

Can we elect him again?

And yes, Jimmy Carter's speech was a knockout too -- that gentle good man is obviously disgusted with the Bush cabal.

Can we get him to monitor OUR elections?

Al Gore did it all: he named the elephant in the living room and even joked about it, he praised Clinton and their administration's accomplishments, and he endorsed Kerry ringingly.

Can we elect Al again too?

All rhetorical questions, but I'm seriously in love with all three of these guys tonight.

Hekate
:bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party:

[Andromeda]

17. Practice has made perfect

this talent Bill Clinton has. He's a statesman and enjoys enormous status and respect now.

He used to be long-winded, articulate, but long-winded because I think he had so many ideas he just wanted spill them all out. He loves the limelight and now the limelight loves him just as much.

I have noticed more of the humility you spoke of. I think facing withering scrutiny and surviving it has made Bill a better person.

[derby378]

18. Set the Wayback Machine for 1993

His speech sounded a lot like his Big Government days, back when he didn't have to deal with a Republican Congress. That was kind of a turn-off for me.

The assault weapon ban should be scrapped with all deliberate speed, and Democrats shouldn't pursue reinstating it - that is, unless, they want to lose this election. Remember what Ariana Huffington said: You can't talk about redecorating the house when the house itself is on fire. Put the fire out, then we talk redecorating.

[DinahMoeHum]

19. Here's a transcript of the speech. Savor it.

Link:
http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/dnc/nyc-bill-speech,0,1751325.story?coll=ny-homepage-big-pix

(snip)
Their opponents will tell you to be afraid of John Kerry and John Edwards, because they won't stand up to the terrorists -- don't you believe it. Strength and wisdom are not conflicting values -- they go hand in hand. John Kerry has both. His first priority will be keeping America safe. Remember the scripture: Be Not Afraid.
(snip)
...As I said in 1992, we're all in this together; we have an obligation both to work hard and to help our fellow citizens, both to fight terror and to build a world with more cooperation and less terror. Now again, it is time to choose.
(snip)
Since we're all in the same boat, let us chose as the captain of our ship a brave good man who knows how to steer a vessel though troubled waters to the calm seas and clear skies of our more perfect union. We know our mission. Let us join as one and say in a loud, clear voice: Send John Kerry.
(snip)


:kick::kick::kick:

[Jack Rabbit]

20. I don't have many occasions on which to agree with you, Mr. Dolstein

However, it was one hullva speech and, yes, the best one I've heard from Clinton.

[Myrina]

21. He's used it before

... it's actually 2 speeches combined.

Most of it, he used at the DNC convention/dinner or whatever it was earlier this year.

And the 'they protected my tax cut' part, I heard him use in a classroom in Arkansas on CSpan last fall.


I like how he subtly appeals to the Freepers that were watching and still despise him, ie making Bush look bad by making himself a target - 'your President gave ME alot of money that should have gone to you !' No wonder they call him Slick.

:loveya:

[spooky3]

22. good, it gave him a chance to perfect it. He was marvelous.

Got in a great deal of content and made it understandable to the non-political junkies, by using himself as a personal example.

[yellowcanine]

23. Yep - Hopefully Clinton will give that speech some more in Arkansas,

Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Kerry should go with him and have Clinton do the warmup for him. If Kerry would be self effacing about not being able to measure up to Clinton's standard the crowds would love it.

[CANDO]

24. "Send Me"

Those are the two most important and descriptive and contrasting words of his speech. When has * in his entire life uttered those two simple words? When his nation called, John Kerry said "send me". When his nation called, * said no thanks, I'll stay right here.