Kerry accepts the nomination
Well, the Democratic theatrics came to an official end with John Kerry’s speech tonight. Didn’t see it live so I can’t gauge his presence, but from reading the transcript it seems he pulled together the themes that were building through the week:
- I’m resolute enough to do what it takes to keep us safe, and maybe even more so than Dubya since I’ve actually served in combat
- Keeping us safe means building (or repairing) bridges with our allies, no more going off on our own—especially when the justification for action hasn’t been proven
- Values and integritry are shown by doing, not merely stringing together an explanation (after the fact) that sounds good
- I’m driven by faith and morality too, but I don’t pretend that it gives me all the answers and the authority to plunge forward
- Hey, let’s get back to fiscal restraint while funding safety and well-being by making those who can afford to pay for it do so
- Just because we question our leadership and don’t blindly follow doesn’t mean we’re not patriots; just because we say things aren’t as good as they should be doesn’t make us pessimists
Only time will tell whether he connected with undecideds enough for them to vote for change in November. Now the tough waiting begins, especially since a quirk of campaign financing gives the Bush campaign nearly free reign to attack—with the possibility of little effective counter-advertizing from the Dems—until the Republican convention at the end of August.