Kennedy's speech at the national Press Club:
Just some highlights
Ten years ago almost to the day, I stood at this podium after another election in which Democrats lost ground, far too much ground, un unwelcome distribution of power with the Republicans controlling both houses of Congress for the first time in nearly half a century.
2004 was nothing like that. it was more like a replay of 2000. This time a switch of less than 60,000 votes in Ohio would've brought victory. Unlike 2000, it would've been a victory against an incumbant president in a time of war.
Obviously it hurts to come so close in all three battles and then fail by so little. (huh?) We did many things right, but there is no cause for complacency. (what?)
I categorically reject the deceptive and dangerous claim that the outcome last November was somehow a sweeping or even a modest or even a miniature mandate for reactionary measures like privatizing Social Security......
(Applause)
redistributing the tax burden in the wrong direction or packing the federal courts with reactionary judges...(what?)
In truth we do not shrink form that debate. There is no doubt that we must do a better job of looking within ourselves and speaking out for the principals (?) we believe in and for the values (?) that are the foundation of our actions. Americans need to hear more, not less, about those values.'( Oh Please do!)
Unlike the Republican Party, we beleive our values unite us as Americans instead of dividing us. (U huh?)
(Applause)........
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. (That's my favorite line.LOL)
(Applause).........
Today I propose a progressive (yes by all means) vision for America; a vision that Democrats must fight for in the months and years ahead..........
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..........(Unless you smoke, are still in the womb, have money, are Conservative, are white, are religious, own a gun, an Suv....)
(Applause).......
Our misguided resort to war has created much more and much more intense anti-American feeling than Osama bin Laden ever dreamed of. and the sooner we reverse that distressing trend, the better.
I am convinced that John Kerry could have worked with the international comunity (he means the crooks at the UN) to end the war and bring our troops home with honor.(turn coat and ran).................
more...........
www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A4354-2005Jan12?language=printer
Just some highlights
Ten years ago almost to the day, I stood at this podium after another election in which Democrats lost ground, far too much ground, un unwelcome distribution of power with the Republicans controlling both houses of Congress for the first time in nearly half a century.
2004 was nothing like that. it was more like a replay of 2000. This time a switch of less than 60,000 votes in Ohio would've brought victory. Unlike 2000, it would've been a victory against an incumbant president in a time of war.
Obviously it hurts to come so close in all three battles and then fail by so little. (huh?) We did many things right, but there is no cause for complacency. (what?)
I categorically reject the deceptive and dangerous claim that the outcome last November was somehow a sweeping or even a modest or even a miniature mandate for reactionary measures like privatizing Social Security......
(Applause)
redistributing the tax burden in the wrong direction or packing the federal courts with reactionary judges...(what?)
In truth we do not shrink form that debate. There is no doubt that we must do a better job of looking within ourselves and speaking out for the principals (?) we believe in and for the values (?) that are the foundation of our actions. Americans need to hear more, not less, about those values.'( Oh Please do!)
Unlike the Republican Party, we beleive our values unite us as Americans instead of dividing us. (U huh?)
(Applause)........
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. (That's my favorite line.LOL)
(Applause).........
Today I propose a progressive (yes by all means) vision for America; a vision that Democrats must fight for in the months and years ahead..........
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..........(Unless you smoke, are still in the womb, have money, are Conservative, are white, are religious, own a gun, an Suv....)
(Applause).......
Our misguided resort to war has created much more and much more intense anti-American feeling than Osama bin Laden ever dreamed of. and the sooner we reverse that distressing trend, the better.
I am convinced that John Kerry could have worked with the international comunity (he means the crooks at the UN) to end the war and bring our troops home with honor.(turn coat and ran).................
more...........
www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A4354-2005Jan12?language=printer