How did Kerry's speech to the National Guard go?

[Onlooker]

I thought he spoke today, but I don't see any articles on how he was received and how his speech was received. Anyone hear or read anything?

[Roland99]

1. He didn't get the warmest reception

but some Guardsmen were interviewed by ABC News and they said Kerry raised some good points.

Then they interviewed a Guardsman in Iraq who said he didn't have Iraq in his plans. He's been in Iraq for a year.

Then ABC interviewed a woman in Wash. St. She was in her 40s/50s and her husband is in the Guard and has already done his 20 years but he was called to go to Iraq. She said her husband should be home.


Ah...it should be on C-SPAN tonight at 8pm

[whistle]

3. These are good points, how does Bush address them.....

..."Bring 'em on!", "stay the course", "We will stay as long as it takes to get the job done". Tell me why again the rank and file military would vote for Bush!

[Connie_Corleone]

8. You forgot one...

"Freedom is on the march!" I'm beginning to develop a violent reaction to my tv over that line alone.

[whistle]

13. Oh yes, that one also, with a Prussian drum role in the background

[21winner]

7. So much for ABC.

What did you think?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Great. He wasn't booed or protested in any way

They all sat in stunned silence as Kerry laid the sad truth on them.

[whistle]

4. You are correct there, truth is what we should insist on...

...even if it does not make make us feel so good, it will set us free.

[AlinPA]

6. That's the way I saw it. As my wife and I watched, we said the difference

between Kerry and Bush* was that the moron used one-liners (zingers) based on patriotism and false hope and waited for the crowd to applaud. Kerry just said how it was.

[babylonsister]

9. I FERVENTLY wish

Kerry would refrain from using the expression "Stay The Course". It's old, tired, and was used/has been used incessantly by the smirkchimp.

[21winner]

5. Extremely well.

He told the truth. It is his style.

[wurzel]

10. He didn't give them much to cheer.

But he gave them a lot to think about.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

11. Stonefaced silence...

...I didnt see the end, assumed he was applauded politely.

He doesnt have these guys...no way.....

[MichiganVote]

16. Nope. He didn't and doesn't have them.

[cheshire]

12. I saw *'s and they acted like, WTF and then the cue card said clap.

It was a delayed reaction.
I think Kerry was not comfortable but he was strong and he said why it sucks now and what needs to be done. He was good. I think all of the service is brainwashed to follow you leader and that is hard to break through. He did fine.

[UTUSN]

14. WOODRUFF Sed She Was Giving Equal Time to Shrub's

But in the first segment, CNN "lost the satellite feed" after, like, a MINUTE! Then they came back from commercial and had another minute or two. There were at least two spells of applause in the total, short clip. Seems like they were listening.

[ItsMyParty]

15. A crowd shot on CBS

Kerry was speaking about how what Bush said there a few days ago was so out of line with the report he already had from the intelligence community about it Iraq being a total mess, etc. and then said he brought it on by not listening to the military leaders, etc. and there were guys nodding their heads in agreement. Same as when he said that Bush owes the Guardsmen the truth about the situation.

[A_Possum]

17. He's not going to get applause for what he said

Because it is dead serious.

I'm really glad to hear that they were nodding. That means more than applause in this case.

[Gloria]

18. Catching the rerun now....as he was introduced, I heard some very

loud, approving whistles....and Wes Clark was on the podium next to him! And Kerry introduced him...I hope Clark is joined at the hip with Kerry from here on out......

The clip I saw on CBS ...that audience looked very sober....