Reuters: Kerry Iraq Speech Has His Camp in 'Fighting Mood'

[DrFunkenstein]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Reuters) - One speech may not a campaign make, but John Kerry and his top advisers are pumped up and in "a fighting mood" after the Democratic candidate's aggressive attack on President Bush's handling of Iraq.

From a scathing address detailing Bush's "arrogance and outright incompetence" on Iraq, to a Democratic fund-raiser and on to a morning television talk show where he charged that the president was "in denial," Kerry seems to have found a new lease on political life.

Several Democrats outside the campaign called Kerry's speech in New York a turning point that would force Bush to play defense. It was a welcome change for the Democratic faithful who privately feared their candidate lacked fire, and vindication for a cadre of new advisers who urged Kerry to land some punches instead of simply shadow boxing with Bush.

"He rocked, didn't he," the candidate's wife Teresa Heinz Kerry declared. "There's a time for everything and it was time for him to take off the gloves."

A senior Kerry aide portrayed the Iraq speech as a kind of catharsis for voters as well as the candidate, who has struggled with the issue throughout the spring and summer.

"I think people responded to the fact that someone finally told the hard truths," the aide said. "The White House's weak response was telling. They didn't challenge a single assertion he made about the situation on the ground."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=1&u=/nm/campaign_kerry_mood_dc

[Droopy]

1. "found a new lease on political life"

He was always there. I think he's just picking his moments like a good boxer will wait for the right time to really let loose with the big guns.

[delete_bush]

2. This is important...

"Several Democrats outside the campaign called Kerry's speech in New York a turning point that would force Bush to play defense."

He's been forced to spend too much time defending against the swifties et al. In addition to wasting time, one who is constantly on the defensive starts to look like a loser.

Being on the offensive means he controls the message and takes on the appearance of a confident winner.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

3. His speech at NYU was darn good .

That speech made my week . I have not been this pumped up since the Democratic National Convention . He came out of nowhere with this speech . This is real SHOCK And AWE !

[TA]

4. His speech puts him on a new level

Now the Swift Boat pukes and the other attacks on him are small potatoes and non-issues.