So now Kerry is a liar?

[karynnj]

176. Kerry's speech sounded like Kerry to me

but then I have actually listened to many Kerry speeches for many years. It sounds like you listened more to Jon Steward's warped versions of them.

You might consider that it was the subject matter that led directly to the emotion in his words. As to refraining from absolutes - this is the very type of issue that calls for absolutes. (Just as Kerry's words repeated in several 2006 speeches that "the US does not torture Period - and this bill condones torture.&quot I could go through and list dozens of phrases that are classic Kerry in that speech -- starting with the call to check your conscience and moral compass - things he has spoken of since the 1970s. It is also the type of thing that is universal enough that he spoke of himself "as being a father" - words he has used in many tragedies including the death of a young diplomat in Afghanistan.

As to succinct - try watching him in hearings. Many Senators would spend their entire time reading a written statement that ended in a question - Kerry tended to ask crisp, clear questions and then followed up often with even shorter questions honing in on information that was given.