Kerry Sounded Like Kennedy Last Night (In A Good, Not Eyerolling Way)

Only a few weeks ago, Kerry could wind a sentence several times around the Earth's surface before getting to his point. I say this as someone who truly adores the man. But in recent weeks, or perhaps only since the first debate, Kerry managed to speak in short, human-sized sentences. We would be dead in the water if this didn't happen. But it did.

Last night, though, Kerry moved from his brief transition into the comprehendable and onto something resembling eloquence last night. No, it wasn't the aw-shucks charm of Clinton, the guy who could charm your pants off. Literally. It was, yes, inspiring.

Kerry spent his life wanting to sound inspiring. A noble pursuit, to be sure, but also more than slightly pretentious. However, last night, Kerry didn't sound like someone who wanted to sound inspiring - where you could actually hear the clicks of Bob Shrum's typewriter as he spoke - but he sounded like someone that was inspiring.

Let me make this clear that I don't feel that he could inspire a legion of liberal Democrats - there are perhaps others who might do this more effectively - but as someone who could inspire a nation, and maybe even the world.

It is a tough, partisan place out there in the withering heat of a vicious campaign, but I will openly make this prediction - after Kerry becomes President - and he will - the country will move quickly towards healing old wounds. Once Bush's presence is removed, the country (if not an entrenched Congress) will rally behind the man you saw last night.

Kerry is not one to exacerbate partisan bitterness, which many Bush supporters will feel for some time, and just as the better of his supporters truly and powerfully embraced Democrats behind other candidates, Kerry will make a point of bringing this nation towards something resembling the post-9/11 spirit of bi-partisanship.

He will serve to calm the troubled waters of this nation and the world. It won't be easy, but he will do admirably. In speaking to America last night, he lit the lantern pointing home.

:-)

I'm not really old enough to know Kennedy thru anything but old video clips, but I was saying out loud to my wife, "Kerry is sounding positively Kennedy-esque right now." Kinda brought tears to my eyes.

As someone who was too young to remember where he was on 11/22/63, I know from outlets like the History Channel that he was mourned bitterly around the world when he was taken away from us. I recall seeing films of the vigils held in Berlin that were particularly awe-inspiring. I'm going to stop now because I'm about to lose it.

You can't sum up the man in a sound bite.

There's also another important adage....you can't keep a good man down.

After watching "The Choice"...the Frontline special which is a MUST SEE for anyone you think might be having doubts....I came away thinking this guy is intensely for real....and then I also was able to understand much better that "Kerry speak" is.

As the culture continues to degrade....and as our wits and emotions are strained.....here is a guy that is truly above it all. He represents a whole lot of good that I remember when I was in my teens....in the 60s. It reminds me of when I watched the debates of 2000 and even back to 1996 and 1992 which they showed recently....and I came away thinking....my God...this hasn't been that long....and look at the way America has changed. The entire demeanor of America was much more civil back then.

Yes, not only has the country been psychologically traumatized by 911...but on top of that we've been inundated with bad business....not only corporate scandals...but a sick political party that seizes on the worse aspects of society for their own power trip.

It reminds me of a friend that has a daughter that had some problems, was trying to deal with them...and then what does she do...she ends up falling in love with a heroin addict. About 3 years later....she's in a hopeless situation.

Having John Kerry as president will be the equivalent of getting away from a very bad crowd...a very bad influence....which is essential for anyone attempting to promote a positive change in behavior.

Of course there's much work to be done...especially depending on the makeup of the Congress. The media may continue unabated and even get worse. You can imagine the Republican attack machine has already planned a way to try and bring the man down.

The point of all of this is yes...Kerry is an essential part of the cure....but unless we all keep on being active against these insidious forces...they will continue to exploit us.