Wider Angle: Kerry's Speech

The speech ran 46 minutes by PBS's clock, but it seemed to me like it could have gone the total 50 that was expected if Kerry didn't contrinue to interrupt his loyal delegates. My dad, who just called, suggested that perhaps that was to keep the flow moving for television. My argument would be that he could have merely started each paragraph when he did, after the applause had died down on its own, and run about 48 minutes.

In any event, it was very impressive. I addressed that item first as it was my only real complaint, if you can even call it that. (More of a mild criticism, imo). He successfully managed to address the Federal Marriage Amendment, fair trade while keeping American jobs and economy strong, and environmental protection -- all things about which I care quite a bit. He also got in direct jabs at Cheney (I was shocked when I first heard his name in the speech -- very different from previous primetime speeches over this convention) as well as Bush for lying to the American people and misleading us into a wrong war, to oversimplify. Plus, he mentioned the American ties to the Saudi Royal Family... bravo.

For being characterized as a boring speaker, Kerry certainly showed he has the balls to lead a country. The speech was interesting to hear at home, but in the convention hall the delegates couldn't get enough. They hung on Kerry's every word, just waiting to leap out of their seats and applaud his nomination.

The party platform has been a little divided lately (well, quite a bit), but all the conventionites put those differences aside for a few hours to celebrate with thundering fervor the future President, and rightly so. They need to support him so we can make any change at all. My ideals go against some of Kerry's, but I'm aware that with a Democratic President and Congress, I will at least have the opportunity to make a difference and there is hope to alleviate a lot of the nation's problems, unlike with the current administration where citizens don't matter and have little control over their future and their country.

Update: CNN offers an outline of the speech, noting key topics. He was very nebulous on a lot of issues (playing to the swing states) but for his base, most if not all the issues were there.

Update 2: Hope is, indeed, here. It almost didn't arrive on time.

Update 3: Upon further consideration, I rescind my initial criticism. I haven't seen Kerry speak that many times, and so I was unaware that he usually waits for the last hand to stop clapping before going on. He kept the speaking lively and he tried his best to get through the speech smoothly, and I think that shows character.