Democrats Tap Sen. John Kerry for Stadium Speech on Foreign Policy

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC News

Aug 29, 2012 12:51pm
Democrats Tap Sen. John Kerry for Stadium Speech on Foreign Policy
By Devin Dwyer

Democrats will make President Obama’s foreign policy achievements a major theme of the final night of their convention next Thursday at Bank of America Stadium, ABC News has learned.

Today organizers announced that Sen. John Kerry — chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a decorated combat vet– will deliver a televised address in primetime that night, preceding Vice President Joe Biden and Obama.

Kerry is expected to tout Obama’s record on ending the war in Iraq, setting a timetable for Afghanistan, and stepping up the targeting of al Qaeda leaders, including the killing of Osama bin Laden.

“Senator Kerry will speak to how the President has restored America’s leadership in the world, has taken the fight to our enemies, and has a plan to bring our troops home from Afghanistan just like he did from Iraq,” said an Obama campaign official on condition of anonymity.




Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/democrats-tap-sen-john-kerry-for-stadium-speech-on-foreign-policy/

[msongs]

1. major snoozer will put America to sleep nt

[karynnj]

5. His 2008 convention speech was considered by many the best speech given

in support of Obama.

Check out the NYT review of his 2008 speech at the convention - http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/kerry-hits-it-home/

The part of the speech that this reviewer liked best was actually derived from a speech he gave at Fanueil Hall (one of the two I saw) that was on the right and responsibility to dissent - which he gave on the 35th anniversary of his speaking before the SFRC. (If you question his ability to speak, watch this http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/WarinIraq7

He was not alone - here is a summary. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/the-kerry-surprise/

here is the video itself -

Not to mention, Kerry was an excellent orator and speechwriter in 1971. There are very few speeches - even by Presidents - where lines are still remembered as well as his speech to the SFRC.

[monmouth]

8. Perhaps you, certainly not me..n/t

[blm]

52. Any Dem attacking Kerry is an absurdity.

One would have to be completely out of touch with this nation's history to take potshots at Kerry.

[YvonneCa]

60. Seems some here...

...may be completely out of touch.

[xxqqqzme]

2. noooooooo

Waste of prime time exposure. Snooze, snack and bathroom break time.

[YvonneCa]

16. I disagree. He will set the stage for Obama's vision for the country...

...going forward. Must see TV...

[leftyohiolib]

3. mr throw the towel before the fight's over kerry

[karynnj]

23. You can't count votes not cast - they won Ohio by suppressing the vote

Kerry - as much as anyone was a victim and, on top of that, he as Gore did, had to act graciously to avoid hurting the Democratic party. Kerry, within a month, was working hard to help rebuild the Democratic party.

[YvonneCa]

47. I agree that Ohio was a...

...mess. And I've always believed it was stolen. But Rove and Bush deserve your anger...not John Kerry.

[karynnj]

62. Yes - look at the circumstances

In 2000, the Democrats took it to the Supreme Court and lost - there was no higher court to appeal to. Gore"s choice was to conceded a close election that he knew he won or essentially call for revolution.

In 2004, Kerry did not have the proof Gore had. He lost Ohio because they did not put enough machines in Ohio and used other methods to reduce the number of valid votes in Ohio. In Kerry's case the same Democratic lawyers told Kerry there was no way to challenge the election results. Kerry was a prosecutor and was considered the best at investigations in the Senate. There was no way - after the election to fix this. That is why we need to solve these voter suppression issues before the election this year.

[Rhiannon12866]

58. "Kerry won. Here are the facts." by Greg Palast:

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/kerry_won_.php

And I had the same experience, couldn't believe it...

[blm]

53. That's not accurate, left...

try realizing that Ohio was lost in the years earlier when Terry McAuliffe chose to let Ohio's state party infrastructure collapse.

[CherokeeDem]

4. Maybe not a snoozer...

I've heard Kerry give some good speeches and if it's not too long...could be good thing. Let's hope so.

A friend of mine who lives in FLorida speculated that if Hillary does step down as SOS that Kerry could be her replacement. Might be a trial run to see how he does with that focus.

I want to keep a good vibe about our convention and wish Kerry well in his speech. But then, anything will be an improvement over the Repubs circus.

[karynnj]

7. Kerry has helped the Obama administration as a diplomat

and - at least twice it was because no one else could have accomplished what he did. The first was getting Kharzi to follow his country's election law. The second was when he persuaded Pakistan to allow Raymond Davis to leave the country and to not restrict the movement of the CIA and its contractors ... a few months before OBL was killed. Both of these show that he would be an extraordinary choice as the top diplomat. The career foreign policy US ambassador to Afghanistan stated Kerry was the best diplomat he has seen in entire career.

In addition, if you read anything on how Kerry led the Senate to ratify the START treaty, it was very clear that he was unusually capable in winning over the votes needed.

There is no doubt that Kerry would be a wonderful choice for SoS - and a media that never liked him had assumed that he was the most likely choice in 2009 based on his skills and background.

Obama picked Kerry as the chief foreign policy surrogate and he is the one chosen to help him in the debates. Add this honor and it is clear that Obama highly values Kerry.

I actually don't think he will be the pick - and it has NOTHING to do with anything about Kerry. The Senate is likely to be very close. If Elizabeth Warren wins, I assume that there would be fear that Kerry's seat could be lost to Brown or another Democrat. I would suspect that Obama would not put the Senate up for grabs to get Kerry - and I suspect that Kerry would be one advising against it if there were that risk.

[Journeyman]

6. Wonder if he'll give that goofus salute and "report for duty" again. . .

In the heart of my heart I knew that instant we'd lost the challenge. . .

[Cha]

17. Please don't buy into the goprick's propaganda.

[YvonneCa]

18. "The Democrats" ??? You speak as if you are not...

...one of us. John Kerry will be FANTASTIC!

[Paladin]

20. Why Don't You Take It Back To Guns/RKBA......

....where your anti-Kerry rants will be appreciated?

[karynnj]

25. He was the complete opposite of Bush

Kerry has been one of the strongest Democrats in Congress and was the best Obama surrogate in 2008.

Obviously President Obama and his reelection team have far greater respect for Senator Kerry than you do - which is why he got this speech, is the top foreign policy surrogate and will help Obama with debate practice.

[TheDonkey]

12. Great news! John Kerry has been a critical ally to Obama's success since 2004

When Obama gave the keynote in Boston for Kerry and launched his political stardom.

I know it is popular to ridicule Kerry because he lost to Bush but the man still had some 50 million people vote for him and is an American hero. The lying swift-boat a-holes cannot take that away from him.

But not only is Kerry a true hero and patriot he is an amazing speaker and will do a great job prepping the crowd for Biden and Obama.

I cannot wait!

[YvonneCa]

14. Thank you! I ABSOLUTELY...

...100% agree with you. With all Kerry has been doing to turn this country around, it's a shame...to me...that all this criticism, disrespect and lack of appreciation appears to come from DEMOCRATS here. (Unless Repubs have infiltrated... )

[Cha]

19. Exactly, Yvonne! gopropaganda machine

has done its job. Very frustrating to see..but, I refuse to let them rewrite history. They succeeded in making Liberal a dirty word too..but, it's making a Comeback!

Fuckers can gag on their frreaking purple bandaids...dumbshits.

[YvonneCa]

21. Nice to see you...

...here. Thanks for the supportive comment...it is pretty frustrating at times.

[Cha]

24. Good to

see you, too, Yvonne~

[politicasista]

43. ...

Good to see you, YvonneCa and Donkey.

[Cha]

49. Donkey?

[politicasista]

54. Yep. Just showing some love

to TheDonkey above, you and YvonneCa.

Thanks for everything you to for Team Obama and Dems.

[Cha]

55. Oh I see..I thought you had

me mixed up with The Donkey.

[politicasista]

56. No, you are fine. :)

[babylonsister]

13. Excellent choice; he's the most informed senator on foreign policy we have. nt

[YvonneCa]

15. Yes, he is. n/t

[politicasista]

61. ...

[Arkana]

22. Kerry's not exactly a blow-the-doors-off speaker, but he's a good dude

and a good Senator.

I think the speech will be passably good. It won't overshadow Biden or Obama, though.

[karynnj]

26. His 2008 speech was significantlyt better than Biden's

Kerry always was a far better speaker than Biden, but I can think of no one who can beat Obama at his best.

[politicasista]

31. If your last name is not,

Clinton, Obama, Biden or Kennedy few, will pay attention.

The Senator's 08 speech may have gotten attention, but the talk that night was B. Clinton and Biden. Was watching (at least on urban channels that were covering the DNC).

Since Biden has become VP, he has been great and greeted with a lot of enthusiasm. His speech at the NAACP convention was rousing and got mad praise on Twitter. And he has been touted as Obama's "black" surrogate. Some doubt that any other Dem could have pulled off what he did/has done.

[politicasista]

32. Maybe he needs to give people a reason to listen to him

instead of just allowing people to go do other stuff while waiting for the VP and Pres to speak.

[karynnj]

35. Think of what you are saying

People at the convention WILL listen to him because they are there. The media will cover it - as they DID NOT in 2008 other than CSPAN and maybe PBS - because Obama put him in a designated prime time slot.

Beyond that, there is nothing Kerry or anyone else can do to "not allow" people to just do something else. What he has done is to consistently speak intelligently and well in speeches, in the Senate and on talk shows. That is really all he can do.

PS Given all your posts in the last three years that he is not a key player, you might note that he is one of two Senators included on the list - Miklowski (D,Md) is the other - AND it is a prime time slot on the most important night that will have a huge audience as that night is at the stadium, while the other nights aren't. This confirms what most of us on DU JK have responded to you - among the people who count he is respected and powerful.

[politicasista]

37. Ok, Just saying he needs to bring his A+ game

And do respect that Senator Kerry is a key player and that Team Obama recognizes that. More power to him and them.

People already know the big names Clinton, the Obamas, Biden are good speakers. The problem is that Senator Kerry has an (unfair) reputation of being a less than dynamic speaker. It is like a singer that can sing with all the right material, but the live performances leave a lot to be desired.

People will disagree, but in this social media age, impression matters and that is what peeps will come away with. In prime time you have to shine and bring it, especially on a complex issue like foreign policy.

[YvonneCa]

44. He will. Always has...

...when I've been there.

[politicasista]

46. Excellently put

Wasn't meaning to sound like a concern troll lol!, but want to see decent/good people do well and be respected.

[YvonneCa]

48. I know...

...me, too.

[Zen Democrat]

27. Maybe he's going to replace Hillary as Secretary of State?

[cyberswede]

29. Chuck Todd mentioned that on MSNBC this morning. nt

[Qutzupalotl]

36. Why? Where's Hillary going?

[Cha]

50. Hillary has stated she's not going to

be the SOS in the next Term of PBO. She's worked so hard and has done a great job.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

28. Here's what the Democrat's foreign policy lecture should be....

Put up a huge picture of bin Laden.

"Remember this asshole? The one the previous administration didn't think about. Well, you're welcome".....

Credits.....

[JI7]

30. John Kerry has never given a Boring Speech

he has his own style. he isn't Barack Obama. but then most people aren't.

what makes Kerry great is he is able to give a speech full of policy without being boring and in a way people understand. he does speak a lot sometimes but i don't think there is anything wrong with it. we get his thought process and i find it interesting. people can see he is a guy who knows the issues .

i'm glad he is real and stays himself rather than try to be something he isn't like that phony Romney.

Kerry has given many speeches and if anyone has one where he is boring post a link to it.

and when it comes to debates there is nobody better than Kerry.

[YvonneCa]

33. Great post! I couldn't agree more...

...with what you said. I like your 'post a link' challenge.

[karynnj]

34. Totally agree - and I too love his thoughtful, respectful

speeches that do not try to reduce things to platitudes.

[BlueStater]

38. What's up with all the anti-Kerry shit in this thread?

He's a good senator who has fought for us for many years. And people in this thread are badmouthing him. Seriously, what the fuck?

[MBS]

39. I totally agree

He's got integrity, compassion, and guts. And, as you said, he just keeps on fighting for us, no matter how the political winds go.
I have more respect for Sen. Kerry than almost any politician out there. And I can't wait for his speech.

[YvonneCa]

45. DITTO...

...here.

[karynnj]

40. Totally agree

It has been 8 years since 2004, when he worked as hard as anyone could - as did his entire extended family. I know people were disappointed that he did not become President - I did too - more than any other election. It is strange that they resort to every RW slur - without noticing that there was never any real there there in those attacks.

[politicasista]

41. +1 n/t

Last edited Thu Aug 30, 2012, 07:31 PM - Edit history (1)

[blm]

51. They bought the GOP spin against Kerry without ever really listening to him.

Some Democrats can be misinformed jerks, too, at any given time. They just aren't usually as BIG of jerks, and definitely not as OFTEN as the GOP voter base.

[The Stranger]

57. But he lost on the big stage already.

His refusal to speak the truth about the war cost him and us.

I'll never forget his "this president took his eye off the ball" and cringing.

[MADem]

63. How Do You Ask a Man to Be the Last Man to Die in Vietnam?

Anyone who suggests that Kerry doesn't know how to craft an artful and memorable turn of phrase doesn't know their American history.

[MBS]

64. ditto n/t.