CUP OF JO...

Missing the 15 minutes of Al Gore’s speech is my major disappointment tonight. CNN is covering the Democratic Convention tonight from 8-11pm Eastern Time. I hope you are participating in or watching this important and imperative coverage. For those friends of mine that are unable to watch, my update is below:

Al Gore’s Speech: Gore was optimistic and enthusiastic in discussing the opportunity for change in America. He spoke of John Kerry as a lifetime achiever in fiscal planning, heroism in Vietnam, advocator for environmental issues and a persistent anti-terrorist fighter. Gore spoke of Kerry’s ongoing integrity and honor of his word. He reminded the nation of Kerry’s lifetime service to America in and out of the senate. He presented Kerry’s initiative to fight foes of which no one wanted to battle. Gore asked major questions about the economy, similar to Reagan’s 1984 speech-are you better off now with this administration in office? CNN precisely quoted him, “He asked those who had voted for President Bush if the country was more united or divided today; if the promise of compassionate conservatism had rung hollow; if people were troubled by the erosion of basic civil liberties.” He reminded the nation of Florida’s victory by the Florida Supreme Court and in the general election. Not lamenting with the past for too long, he spoke about the future by reminding voters to put every effort into this election, towards this new promising leader. He asked the nation to channel their frustration from 2000 and put it into action with registering voters, volunteering for Kerry’s campaign, educating yourself on politics and fully embracing your right to vote. He lifted the spirits of the convention hall with an inspirational message of hope and rebirth. Finally, Gore thanked former President Clinton for the years of dedication and prosperity. Thus, he handed Clinton the rightful olive branch. The electrifying speech was a push for the future, a change in America, and a look ahead to light at the end of a very dark four-year tunnel. He asserted that this is the most important election of our lifetime.  Gore poignantly shared his hope for change!

Jimmy Carter’s Speech: Carter was concise, well spoken and full of intellectual charm. He was low key in presentation, but his words marked a sharp criticism of this current administration. He shared his concern for America, which he emphasized was heading in the wrong direction with Bush in office. He related his dismay for our standing in the world. Carter, having also military experience, shared his kinship to Kerry, calling him a proud “shipmate.” He relayed that Kerry truly knows the horrors of war and is a careful man in making decisions that would result in poor leadership and American deaths. Carter believes Kerry will restore smart judgment and bring a maturity to our government. He believes Kerry will remove elite interest and specialized Republican lobbies in our current administration and bring a more moderate avocation to other groups of democracy. Carter began to his strongest rhetoric about the true reason to bring Kerry to office by stating Kerry will safeguard our security in America. Carter related that Kerry will restore greatness of America by truth telling, his commitment to peace and human rights. Carter criticized the current administration by stating Bush has left us isolated and without trust inside America and worldwide. His credo is that America cannot flourish without trust, which is sacred covenant of the presidency and American people. Carter stated, in 34 months since 9/11, we’ve watched the goodwill of the American people being squandered by miscalculating mistakes and broken truth. He said this administration has cost us our historically valued reputation. A few months of extreme action and perilous mistakes has diminished the history of America’s greatness in civil rights and diplomacy.  Carter warned that this administration has not secured safety for America because we have heightened the hate and disrespect, thus gratifying our enemies by having a preemptive war ideology. Anti- American passion is due to Bush’s handling of Iraq and 9/11.  Carter presented to the nation that the world resents us and that Bush single handily has alienated our allies. Carter believes Kerry can restore hope, respect and fight terrorism by thoughtful action. Carter reminded viewers that the Middle East peace process has come to a screeching halt because of Bush. Carter asserted that Clinton was last president to assist in the Middle East peace process. Carter shared his shock by how Bush overlooked Korea and its nukes program, which is a real threat not Iraq. Kerry will repudiate extremism and transcend bi-partisanship by unifying America. He accused Bush in misleading the nation. He, having worked with John Kerry, is certain Kerry will exercise restraint and judgment and has a clear sense of mission."

Carter called for reform in several stages, indicating that Kerry will lead the way in restoration of our democratic values. He posed, first, civil right reform. Second- he asked how we can have self-confidence if we generate public panic. Third- how can we gain trust with polarizing agendas and not listening to our voters. Fourth- Carter asked how we could gain respect if we mistreat others. Finally, he brought his speech to an enthusiastic thrall by stating, “We cannot lead if our leaders mislead.” Carter emphasized John Kerry will avoid unnecessary wars by correcting the extremism of this administration. He re-asserted that Kerry has the experience of war and global leadership. Bush’s manipulation of truth will continue to diminish our reputation if a change does not happen this election year. Carter exclaimed by stating our nation’s soul is at stake! Carter related that he is not discouraged. He reiterated there is road to a hopeful and bright future in new leadership. Carter’s speech was a stern, serene, but an explosive speech. Carter brought to viewers a message of unification, criticism and reason to the American masses.

Bill Clinton’s Speech: We could not expect less from our former President besides a compelling and gripping speech. He honored and thanked the American people for allowing him to bring a unified & prosperous America together for 8 years. He, allegorically, re-educated the audience on how our democratic values were created and who have continued them. He placed John Kerry among John Adams and John Kennedy, calling him “a visionary leader.” He, on the one hand, called Bush a strong and divisive man, but dismantled the principles of which have been this administration’s policies.  He said Democrats and Republicans have similar goals, but the difference is in how we can achieve them. He stated John Kerry’s focus is for a positive campaign and that the Democrat’s desire is for a safe and prosperous world.  He stated, like his wife Hilary Clinton’s speech, the serious concern over the economy, environment,  and security problems. He reiterated her credo that we need a serious man for serious times.  Clinton took his time in pointing out the major opportunities the leader will have in diversity, natural resources and medicine.  He advocated his belief that Americans have shared responsibilities, and a requirement in global cooperation. He, then, began his most compelling part of his speech.

He contrasted the Republican Party agenda to that of the Democratic platform. He gave examples of how Republicans concentrate power to the people who believe in their sole party and ignore the rest of America. He stated, “they need a divided America,” which makes the Republican platform stronger. He shot Bush down with the open information that Bush ran on a “compassionate conservative” agenda, but did not take the opportunity to do it. He said Bush failed to make a different choice… But, that the Democrats had, have and will do again with the nomination of John Kerry. Clinton voiced the Democratic agenda and the choices we’ve made. He gave examples how this Republican administration blew it, such as in the moment of unity of 9/11, the Republicans walked away from unity with a preemptive unilateral approach to war.  He criticized Bush for denying environmental issues, and disregarding the historically important military war crimes department, for allowing the mistreatment of war prisoners, ignoring UN sanctions and policy making,  for our own development of new nukes programs in long range missiles, for tax cuts to the top 1% (of which he made a humorous joke about himself receiving & benefiting off that tax cut), of the broken promise of no children left behind, of cuts in military & police force salaries (even for the NYC policemen that worked during 9/11), of outsourcing jobs to nations that lent us money to create a huge $400 million deficit, of decreasing homeland security by refusing to tax the rich, of bringing back assault weapons to the street, and of exposing conflicts of interests with lending countries. Clinton named all the policies of which Bush’s administration has failed, with the minor exception of Iraq.
                                                            
He ended by contrasting Kerry’s economic policy, which promises a safer America. He asserted Kerry will provide more money to police and keep assault weapons away from criminals. Like Hilary Clinton recommended, Kerry will increase Homeland security.  Clinton stated, “America works better when everyone can achieve their dreams, not just a few…that we are an interdependent world,” and our goal is to fight terror by building partners! He resounded with a declaration that “our way works better.” Democrats are “modern, cleaner, economical and respected in America.”

He then began to build the image of a Kerry as a strong Commander in Chief. He related the story of how he knows John Kerry. He drew attention to the fact that Bush and himself avoided going to Vietnam, but Kerry from a similar privileged background, said “No, SEND ME.” He presented every hard knock Kerry took in Vietnam and every tough decision he made by the sentiment and statement of “Send Me!” Clinton established a strong case for John Kerry’s continued bravery from inside Vietnam, as a regular citizen fighting against the War, for heralding others to safety, for putting his foundation at risk in the Senate by taking on tough issues. Clinton claimed Kerry knows who he is and where he is going.  He stated that Kerry has an insatiable curiosity and the eagerness to listen to other views, and that he will make choices of conviction and common sense.

Finally, Clinton counter attacked the criticism Kerry might face by Republicans that say he will not be able to keep America safe. He quoted Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson by their general credo of “be not afraid…to form a more perfect union.” He proved to every viewer that John Kerry’s strength, wisdom and ideology is SEND ME and BE NOT AFRAID. In closing, Clinton remarked that “strength and wisdom are not opposing values. They go hand in hand.” He called to Americans to make Kerry the Captain of our vessel and to ensure our obligation for peace, prosperity and cooperation is the number one reason to vote for a strong Commander in Chief, John Kerry.

It was a brilliant and engrossing speech filled with intelligent reason, humorous charm and the hope for a return to prosperity.

For more coverage of the week long event- www.cnn.com