Extreme Makeover: Day 2

DNC Convention Speeches Going Under Cosmetic Makeover:

Kerry: "I'm Putting On This Convention, So Obviously I Care About The Tone And I'll Be Responsible." (Jill Lawrence And Martin Kasindorf, "Interview: On Iraq, 'The President Broke His Word,'" USA Today, 7/23/04)

Kerry Speechwriting Team Sits In "Windowless Room" Rewriting DNC Convention Speeches Removing Hateful Language. "In a windowless room beneath the podium, a team of speechwriters is imposing John Kerry's will on the words of the other speakers at the Democratic National Convention. Their orders: Go easy on the Bush bashing. Each speech is read and re-read, heavily edited and rehearsed as part of a tightly controlled process designed to impress independent voters who are tired of negative politics. Mindful of polls showing voters say they need more information about Kerry, the team also is ensuring that speeches are laced with the candidate's biography and policies." (Ron Fournier, "Kerry Staff Enforces Be-Positive Mandate," The Associated Press, 7/26/04)

But The Democrat Attacks Continue:

Kerry Senior Strategist Tad Devine: American People "Want To Tell George Bush To Shove It Right Now." DEVINE: "Well, I don't think it's a big problem. Listen, you know, Teresa Heinz Kerry is someone who went out and campaigned for her husband in places like Iowa and New Hampshire. I think people got to know her. People got to like her. In the end, a lot of people really got to love her. She is who she is. She's an outspoken person. I think it speaks volumes about John Kerry that he would fall in love and marry someone like her who's plain spoken, says like it is and you know she attracts some attention. Frankly, I think that's pretty good. I think the American people, there's about 50 million of them who want to tell George Bush to shove it right now. I think that's in sync." (Fox News' "Fox And Friends," 7/27/04)

Bill Clinton Accuses The Administration Of Using 9/11 For Political Gain. "'They need a divided electorate, but we don't,' Clinton said. 'The president had an amazing opportunity to bring the country together, under his slogan of compassionate conservatism, and to unite the world in the struggle against terror,' Clinton continued, referring to Bush during the period after the Sept. 11 attacks. 'Instead, he and his congressional allies made a very different choice. They chose to use that moment of unity to try to push the country too far to the right.'" (Anne E. Kornblut, "Party Stars Send Their Message," The Boston Globe, 7/27/04)

Even Kerry Can't Stop Attacking:

At Campaign Stop Leading Up To DNC Convention, Kerry Deviated "From His Plan To Speak Optimistically During Convention Week." "John F. Kerry, deviating from his plan to speak optimistically during convention week, said Republicans and independents should rethink their support for President Bush or suffer the consequences of more expensive prescription drugs, inferior health care coverage and gravely damaged relations with U.S. allies. Visiting the state that delivered Bush a 537-vote victory and, thus, the presidency in 2000, Kerry said, 'I am not exaggerating when I tell you …. never in 35 years have I seen the United States as …. derided and disrespected as we are today.'" (Jim VandeHei And Lois Romano, "But First, A Negative Note," The Washington Post, 7/27/04)

Kerry "Strayed Slightly From The Positive Message Promised For The Week To Paint A Dark Portrait Of Life Under President Bush." "With rocket-bedecked banners heralding 'A Plan for the Future' overhead, Mr. Kerry, who appeared with Senators Bill Nelson and Bob Graham of Florida and former Senator John Glenn of Ohio, all Democrats, strayed slightly from the positive message promised for the week to paint a dark portrait of life under President Bush. At a forum dominated by questions about health care, Mr. Kerry told retirees they should be terrified of losing prescription drug benefits. He also accused the administration of dangerously damaging the air and water." (Jodi Wilgoren, "Kerry Tries To Keep An Upbeat Message But Still Attacks Bush," The New York Times, 7/27/04)