BLUMENTHAL: On Clinton's Speech. (excellent!)

[nostamj]

Killing him softly
Bill Clinton needled himself to stab President Bush.


By Sidney Blumenthal

<snip>

By means of rhetorical alchemy, Clinton transformed himself into no less than Bush: Like Bush, he pointed out that he was a dodger of military service in Vietnam and a rich man gaining lucrative tax benefits instead of sacrificing along with everyone else during a war. Clinton played on Clinton hatred by turning it on its head, a magic act performed with deadpan delivery. The audience was in on the joke from the beginning.

Clinton disdained the very idea of personal attack through a humorous aside: "And you might remember that when I was in office, on occasion, the Republicans were kind of mean to me. But as soon as I got out and made money, I became part of the most important group in the world to them. It was amazing. I never thought I'd be so well cared for by the president and the Republicans in Congress." By making himself his own straw man, Clinton could ridicule at will. The greater the self-deprecation, the deeper the stiletto thrust in Bush.

In praising Kerry's virtues, Clinton set a standard of invidious comparison with Bush. Kerry, said Clinton, has "an insatiable curiosity to understand the world around him and a willingness to hear other views, even those who disagree with him." Without ever having to say it, Bush was revealed as having a closed mind and an authoritarian temperament.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/07/27/clinton_speech/index.html

[Plaid Adder]

1. I loved the whole thing about the tax cut.

That was brilliant. It was a great speech all around, but that was my favorite part.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Lisa]

9. Bill's "pre-emptive strike" on himself was superb ...

He yanked the carpet out from under the GOP -- they can't attack him without attacking themselves!

Kudos to WJC for pulling this off. He even resisted the temptation to do his famous lip-bite when admitting that he, like Cheney and Bush, had gotten out of serving in Vietnam. Great speech!

[Cha]

2. Thanks for this! Blumenthal says it sooo Well.

"In praising Kerry's virtues, Clinton set a standard of invidious comparison with Bush. Kerry, said Clinton, has "an insatiable curiosity to understand the world around him and a willingness to hear other views, even those who disagree with him." Without ever having to say it, Bush was revealed as having a closed mind and an authoritarian temperament."

I caught that as everyone did at the convention..I'm not so sure about the great brainwashed. But I have to remember there are people out there who haven't been paying attention and haven't made up their minds yet and this has all been so good for them, imv.

[nostamj]

3. I thought all three speeches were MASTERFUL

and they're going to be hard acts to follow... though I am psyched to hear Obama orate.

I was talking to a 'political' friend before the speeches and he was totally DOWN on the whole convention thing.

today, he's BEAMING....

[Cha]

4. Great news about your "political friend". I thought

all three speaches were "masterful" too. I've been waiting for this convention for four years and got really excited, Sunday when I saw what all Rod O'Connor had done to the convention site with his brilliant arrangements on the stage, floor and ceiling! They've made it so People friendly and found new ways to connect with everyone...it's just Magnificent!

Their enthusiasm is palpable and contagious!

[AP]

5. It was a way of saying we can always do better.

[nostamj]

6. kick for a great column...

[Cha]

7. It is a great column and I just had time to read the whole

thing.

"The opening night of the Democratic convention was a light and sound show to demonstrate that none of the symbolism that Bush has expropriated about 9/11 belongs to him exclusively. In tribute to the victims, delegates lifted lights in the darkened hall while a forlorn violinist played "Amazing Grace."

I had forgotten this part of the convention what with all the amazing speeches. This is indeed one the most important aspects that the Convention has highlighted! And major Props to all the creative People involved in putting this together.

[Cha]

8. Here's a transcript I found on Clinton's Speech.

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

[nomatrix]

10. The best orator of our generation

I listened to it twice. It was wonderful to hear him speak again, I've missed his message. This one should go into history.

The genius of his delivery.

"The republicans need a divided America"

"John Kerry said, "Send Me".

People were in tears.

And his close....

"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."

[nostamj]

12. NO argument

with your subject line.

though BYRD still deserves special mention for MANY generations!

[Cha]

11. THis is a fantastic review by buzzflash on our first night

of the Convention and a blog for the Convention..


"The Fleet Center is one big Hollywood Set, from the the circling message and image board that lines the upper tier -- that moves froms stars and stripes to tag lines like "A Stronger America" -- to the Hollywood set that serves as the stage, the Dems have gotten the message: ideas are not enough. In a society whose main pastime is entertainment, you have to produce a compelling image. Good Lord, if only ideas mattered, how could half of this country still be thinking of voting for Bush? That guy hasn't had an idea since he tried to punch his father out (the former president) after smashing a family car into the garage during a drunken spree in his 20s."

More great commentary..
http://www.buzzflash.com/blog/

[Cha]

13. I want to kick this so I don't lose it!