Convention Speakers Refine the Art of the Sly Slap

[papau]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/29/politics/campaign/29memo.html

Convention Speakers Refine the Art of the Sly Slap
By TODD S. PURDUM

OSTON, July 28 - When Edward M. Kennedy vowed this week that John Kerry's election would make John Adams's famous prayer that none but "honest and wise" men ever rule the White House "ring true again," was he by any chance hinting that he thinks a dishonest dope rules there now?

When Bill Clinton declared that, "strength and wisdom are not opposing values," was that just a nicer way of saying that he believes, "You don't have to be dumb to be strong"?

When Howard Dean said, "I'm voting for John Kerry and John Edwards because I want a president and vice president as good and as strong as the American people," did he really mean the incumbents are "bad" and "weak"?

And when John Edwards said Wednesday night that Mr. Kerry "understands personally about fighting in a war, and he knows what our brave men and women are going through right now in another war - the war in Iraq," did he mean that President Bush does not?

When it comes to the Democrats' promise to run an upbeat convention, positive is a relative term. Speaker after speaker has wrapped invective in a veil of indirection, softened what would otherwise be stinging attacks with a smile and slyly bashed Mr. Bush while barely mentioning his name. <snip>

[displacedtexan]

1. Do these media idiots...

think Aaron Sorkin and Steven Spielberg are just hangin' out with the Dems for fun?

Sheesh! Total Cheneying idiots!

[LiberalEsto]

2. Excellent analysis

I think that's exactly what the campaign is doing.
They're also taking B*sh's old 2000 campaign slogans and throwing them back in his face. Saying things like (paraphrases) "We really won't leave any child behind," "Kerry really is a uniter, not a divider," etc.
It's brilliant strategy. The words resonate with the public and gain new meaning. They remind voters that B*sh's campaign promises were just empty talk. It lets the Democrats vent, while not saying anything the thugs can put their slimy fingers on.