[POL] Teresa Heinz Kerry Speech last night...

[DannyBoy]

Did anyone else see that disjointed diatribe? Just bizarre in my opinion. Extremely aloof, "Holier than thou", and elitist. At first I was impressed by the five languages she said "howdy" in. Certainly went down hill from there.

My mom-in-law who is a Kerry lover was sitting next to me while we were listening... I kept asking her... "what did that mean?" She did not know. Maybe it was a bunch of innuendo I was just not getting, but some of the stuff was way out there. Sure did not learn anything about Kerry by listening to it. She did not even mention him till near the end.

Mom-in-law after it was over said... "that sure won't help him". I certainly agree. All I know is, I do not want her as a First Lady. She is just plain strange.

There was some reference to angels. I can't remember the phrase. Made little sense. Does anyone else remember it? Sort of like George Bush Senior's "thousand points of light" phrase. At least I knew what HE was getting at...

I would like to find the speech text... It needs to be posted. Maybe later...

Dan

 

[Warren Bone]

I'm not a democrat, but I saw most of her speech and thought she came off pretty well. Seemed sincere and spoke to the people -- you know what I mean -- didn't seemed to be coached on delivery so much as to sound like just another politician.

However, I will still vote for Bush.

warren.

 

[rodeorector]

me too!

 

[Fartacus]

Did anyone else see that disjointed diatribe? Just bizarre in my opinion. Extremely aloof, "Holier than thou", and elitist. At first I was impressed by the five languages she said "howdy" in. Certainly went down hill from there.

My mom-in-law who is a Kerry lover was sitting next to me while we were listening... I kept asking her... "what did that mean?" She did not know. Maybe it was a bunch of innuendo I was just not getting, but some of the stuff was way out there. Sure did not learn anything about Kerry by listening to it. She did not even mention him till near the end.

Mom-in-law after it was over said... "that sure won't help him". I certainly agree. All I know is, I do not want her as a First Lady. She is just plain strange.

There was some reference to angels. I can't remember the phrase. Made little sense. Does anyone else remember it? Sort of like George Bush Senior's "thousand points of light" phrase. At least I knew what HE was getting at...

I would like to find the speech text... It needs to be posted. Maybe later...

Dan

Jeez

The "reference to angels" was a direct quote from Abraham Lincoln appealing to the "better angels of our nature" at the time the country was about to go into Civil War.

It kept with the theme of unifying people, instead of dividing them by labels: conservatives/liberals, blue states/red states. About living with hope instead of constant fear and aggression. About returning America to a world leader's status.

She gave a very subdued speech about what America used to mean to the world, from her first-hand perspective as an immigrant. About how America needs to return to that role. Focus again on bettering the world through scienctific research and charity and volunteerism. Again, the message of unifying and hope.

She did, at one point, address the people who called her "opinionated" as if it were a synonym for "bitch" and said that, as an American woman, she had the right to opinions and that it would be nice to have a country where someday soon women who think for themselves would be called "smart and well-informed" like men, not "opinionated."


I'd never heard her speak before. From the stuff I'd read on this board, I was expecting her to come out frothing at the mouth and acting like Leona Helmsley.

She came across as sophisticated (heaven forbid!) and intelligent woman (which clearly threatens the ever-lovin' hell out of some people).

And able to identify a quote from Abraham Lincoln.

 

[Matty]

I saw the speech and was completely uninmpressed. I am not looking forward to the possibility of her being our First Lady.IMO her demeanor is "off" somehow but I can't quite put my finger on it. I've actually seen another interview with her(Chris Matthews from Hardball) and she was even worse in that one.I think they should keep her out of the spotlight. I also saw the "shove it" comment and honestly she went BACK over to the guy specifacally(sp?) to tell him to "shove it". It was bizaar.
I wouldn't vote for John Kerry for all the tea in China but if I was considering voting for him his wife would definately give me pause.

-Matty

 

[lars]

I believe TH-K is a former Republican. At least she was once the wife of a Republican Senator. Maybe she married Senator Heinz for his money. Anyhow she seems to have now found her spiritual home. She comes off to me as an elitist. She has joined a party of elitists. How appropriate.

Hey Theresa--"shove it".

 

[CygnusXI]

Anyone who says a very specific thing in a speech and then not 10 minutes later deny's it vehemently while telling those who would remind her to "shove it" can get bent. Stay away from the meds-- or take more..??

She's a loon.

We are electing a President (one) not a tag team.

We had president by team back in bill and (healthcare)hillary days.. Don't need that crap again.

Might wanna actually talk about your hubby (you know.. the one RUNNING for prez?) some in your speech-- other than a blurb of vietnam.
LOL

 

[Tweakette]

I think she's kind of weird. Every time I've seen her speak, in interviews, speeches or what have you, she seems kind of rambly, disjointed, and just ... odd...

I think she'd make a pretty strange First Lady, too.

I've been wondering if she's on some sort of medication.

Tweak

 

[It'sJustMe]

Jeez

She did, at one point, address the people who called her "opinionated" as if it were a synonym for "bitch" and said that, as an American woman, she had the right to opinions and that it would be nice to have a country where someday soon women who think for themselves would be called "smart and well-informed" like men, not "opinionated."


I'd never heard her speak before. From the stuff I'd read on this board, I was expecting her to come out frothing at the mouth and acting like Leona Helmsley.

She came across as sophisticated (heaven forbid!) and intelligent woman (which clearly threatens the ever-lovin' hell out of some people).

And able to identify a quote from Abraham Lincoln.

I agree with you Fartacus. I hadn't actually seen her speak, either, and had only heard second hand accounts, here on the board, about her. I was pleasantly surprised watching her last night.

I think perhaps her early culture and roots don't totally blend with the American norm, as far as demeanor, et al. And that shows through as 'different' in some respects. That doesn't make her automatically inferior, or elitist, in my opinion. I'm willing to give her the benefit of doubt, and not merely judge her according to other's opinions. I guess that makes me "opinionated" as well . It's Just Me

 

[Brooks]

We are electing a President (one) not a tag team.

Well, no, we are electing a president and that person's crony of advisers. Those advisers are the tag team. Sometimes it will include a wife. Frankly, I would LIKE to know at election time who they will turn to. I'll give Clinton credit for making it clear from the start that wifey would be a close adviser. IOW, Hilary very much was voted as co-president along with hubby because that was the package.

 

[calliope]

Politics aside, I liked Teresa's and her speech. I found her sincere, thoughtful and informed. I could easily imagine sitting down and having a long and interesting conversation with her. I can't imagine doing the same with Laura Bush.

 

[CygnusXI]

Point taken Brooks.

She's still a loon though

 

[CygnusXI]

Politics aside, I liked Teresa's and her speech. I found her sincere, thoughtful and informed. I could easily imagine sitting down and having a long and interesting conversation with her. I can't imagine doing the same with Laura Bush.

If I was on acid.

 

[Gingergirl]

DH kept asking if she was on meds. He also said he couldn't figure out why she was up there. The only thing he could think of was that she had paid for the Kerry campaign and wanted her time at the podium.

I just smiled. I think she showed everyone she was not Laura Bush.

 

[Aleph Null]

I find the constant bashing of T H-K on this forum to be quite hilarious. Someone like Heinz-Kerry appeals very strongly to a certain group of voters, many of whom could be pivotal in this election. Dyed-in-the-wool conservatives -- of the sort who primarily inhabit this forum -- are not that group. The more people here hate her, the better a job she is doing.

-A0-

 

[jlee]

We've had opinionated, strong, strange, unwise, unbalanced, or dangerous first ladies before. Abigail Adams. Dolly Madison. Mary Todd Lincoln. Mrs. Harding (if I'm thinking of the correct rumors). Eleanor Roosevelt. Nancy Reagan (think her astrologer). Hilary Clinton.

The nation survived.

I would assume T H-K's speech was at least partially written by the usual speechwriters, and vetted by the usual advisors. [But I didn't see it, and I'm not an expert at telling a TelePrompter speech from an extemporaneous one.] Anyway, the "better angels of our nature" is a well-enough-known quotation it could have been her idea or the speechwriters'.

 

[CAgdma]

I watched the THK speech. I thought she was well spoken, but I couldn't understand any truth in what she was saying. America has been viewed negatively for a long time, not just during the last 4 years of GHWB. Remember the book, "The Ugly American?" From the 70's? Or the German parade with the statue of liberty being groped by BC? We've also been viewed positively, during this same time frame. How can you go back to something that wasn't there in the first place?

She seemed really liberal, and at one point I thought I heard her say, "We will take care of you."

But what I really want to know...What was with that gesture she kept making...the two hands crossed over her chest? Is that American sign language for "I love you"? I've never seen anyone, especially a politician, do that.

 

[CygnusXI]

Gingergirl, your DH was right.
TK Demanded to talk.

Oh, and I sure hope Aleph decries the "Bush is a moron" crowd too...

 

[Aleph Null]

Gingergirl, your DH was right.
TK Demanded to talk.

And you know this how? Rush told you?

Oh, and I sure hope Aleph decries the "Bush is a moron" crowd too...

I would say the same to far-left liberals who were foolish enough to think anyone cares about their opinion of Laura Bush....

-A0-

 

[lars]

Why does Teresa bill herself as "Heinz Kerry" as if "Heinz" was her maiden name (a la Rodham Clinton)? Teresa's true maiden name is Simoes-Ferreiras. Heinz is the name of her dead former husband. Is she ashamed of her Portuguese heritage?

 

[CygnusXI]

And you know this how? Rush told you?

WTF?!

Rush told me?
WTF?!

I don't listen to Rush (limbaugh)


No, wise guy, I know because it's a fact that has been touted on the News channels.

 

[CygnusXI]

Actually Lars, her name is just Teresa Kerry.
The media keeps putting the ketchup-kerry thing on the air.

....she doesn't seem to mind though...

 

[ChainedLightning]

Actually Cygnus, she didn't start using the Kerry name until shortly before he started campaigning - until then she was just Teresa Heinz.

And she has NOT given up the Heinz name, I just went and checked to see what they call her on the official website - go see for yourself

http://www.johnkerry.com/about/teresa_heinz_kerry/

 

[DannyBoy]

Jeez

The "reference to angels" was a direct quote from Abraham Lincoln appealing to the "better angels of our nature" at the time the country was about to go into Civil War.

Thank you Fart... I was hoping I had missed something. I had dozed off a bit when she started on that, and I didn't connect it.


It kept with the theme of unifying people, instead of dividing them by labels: conservatives/liberals, blue states/red states. About living with hope instead of constant fear and aggression. About returning America to a world leader's status.

Maybe... it lost me. But evidently your a better man than I. I really didn't know we had dropped out of leader status just yet.

She gave a very subdued speech about what America used to mean to the world, from her first-hand perspective as an immigrant. About how America needs to return to that role. Focus again on bettering the world through scienctific research and charity and volunteerism. Again, the message of unifying and hope.

Subdued I guess... It was like as I was listening, I was not in on the inside story. She was talking to friends who already knew what the point was she was trying to make. Maybe that is because my degree is in engineering. Not history. Sorry.

She did, at one point, address the people who called her "opinionated" as if it were a synonym for "bitch" and said that, as an American woman, she had the right to opinions and that it would be nice to have a country where someday soon women who think for themselves would be called "smart and well-informed" like men, not "opinionated."

My wife is smart and well informed, and opinionated. I have always figured she had that right. I don't call her a bitch. I work with female engineers who think for themselves... some pretty doggone sharp. I don't call them bitches. Am I in the minority?

I'd never heard her speak before. From the stuff I'd read on this board, I was expecting her to come out frothing at the mouth and acting like Leona Helmsley.

She came across as sophisticated (heaven forbid!) and intelligent woman (which clearly threatens the ever-lovin' hell out of some people).

Yeah, I had never heard her speak either... I started out thinking she was sophistocated, and no doubt intellegent, but I ended up thinking she was an elitist... OK, the word "diatribe" was a bit strong... Yes she does threaten (scares!) the Hell out of Me! Not because she is sharp, but because she could end up being the first lady!

And able to identify a quote from Abraham Lincoln. Hey... good for you and her...

----------------------------------------------
I kind of wondered if she is a citizen.

Today I saw the video of the deal with her not remembering (benefit of the doubt here) what she said. Pretty strange. Pretty arrogant if you ask me.

Cygnus... thank you. I had also heard that the reason she got to talk was because she wanted to, and they gave her the night without the TV networks covering. Pretty sure the scoop was she wrote the speech.

Yeah, we have had loons for first ladies before. Do we need another? Hillary was somehow different than this even though she was an elitist too. Can't put my finger on it yet.

Dan

 

[Army Girl]

Have we ever had a "not american born" first lady before?

 

[nomifyle]

"Don't Cry for me Argentina"

When ever I see or hear her Cris Wallace's comment will forever come to mind.

Judy

 

[Sparco]

"Don't Cry for me Argentina" is what I thought when I saw and heard here.