Posted on 09/01/2004 6:51:52 PM PDT by Maigrey
Veterans from previous wars are gathered in Nashville this week for the National American Legion conference. Both the President and the democratic Candidate treated these veterans – from World War II up to now – to stump speeches. After listening to both speeches, there would be no question who was the incumbent candidate and who was the challenger. The scope and tone of both left no question as to who has the vision and capability – and who is just grasping for straws.
Sen. Kerry addressed the convention today, one day after the President spoke with members of the Legion. His speech focused on the errors of the current administration, and his promises of fighting a better war in Iraq, and how he would have better handled the military solution to the War on Terror. Kerry also discussed his plans for “improved” health care for all people, and how he was going to improve the employment outlook. Mostly, the speech Kerry gave – with a prime opportunity to discuss his issues with the Swift Boat controversy and his actions in Vietnam – were never addressed. He avoided those issues like they were the black plague.
Funny he should mention that, the jobs outlook. Even with the governmental survey, unemployment is listed at 5 ½% nationally. That was the same percentage as in 1996. Isn’t it amazing how, during a republican administration, 5 ½% is horrible, but during a democratic administration, it is terrific. Incredible.
Could Kerry have gotten a better response from the members in the convention? Sure. He could have addressed the issues that are being raised, and diffused some of the criticism. He could have discussed the reasons why he made the comments he’s made, in 1971 before the Fulbright committee, and now. But, instead, he stuck to the only method of campaign he knows: attack.
The response to Kerry’s visit and speech was subdued, and quite…. quiet for such a large gathering of conventioneers. Most of the applause for his speech was polite, as opposed to supportive, but the volume of it was minimal, in comparison. After the end of his speech, Kerry shook a few hands of people who were onstage with him, and then left the room. Kerry did not spend time to meet and greet the room, nor did he spend time talking with people who were present. After Kerry departed, the silence from the room was deafening. Could it be that his reception was indifferent, and reserved, after his actions 33 years ago? Why is this not surprising?
Now, let’s compare it to the speech given Tuesday by President Bush. The President was witty, and joking with the group. The focus of his speech was the veterans in the room, and the items on their agenda that might interest them: veteran’s benefits; protection of the American flag; increased Medicare benefits; the federal prescription plan, under Medicare. These issues seemed to resonate well with the American legion members who were present for his speech.
The differences between the two speeches were like night and day. The President was positive, focused on what has been accomplished, and what he plans to accomplish if reelected. Kerry was negative with his speech attacking the current administration.
However, there might have been some reasons outside the candidates’ scope of influence, which might have made a difference in the two speeches. For instance, the non-profit group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, bought television advertising time for the Nashville market specifically for the convention. This would be called targeted advertising. Another influencing factor was a full-page advertisement in The Tennessean bought by a private citizen, who also happens to be a Vietnam Veteran.
These two factors might have has some influence with the reception that Sen. Kerry had with the members of the American Legion. Or, it could be that the members who were present for both speeches understood better than we, as non-veterans, could ever comprehend. So I understand, those who have fought for freedom appreciate the cost of freedom better than those who never did. They, having served their country, know the ramifications of this election for the global war against Islamic Fundamentalism. They would also know who would be the best to lead this country at a time when the risk is so great.
Do we have any actual reports from the room that give
a sense of the room and quotes from the membership?
This was carefully screened out of viewing when I saw clips of his speech on non-Fox channels today.
I started a thread that had some comments when this was shown on CSPAN:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1205416/posts
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