Freedom's Fire, Brightly Burning

Okay, the second half of that title is a bit snarky. But it was nice, and a little surprising given the dearth of Kerry coverage since the election, to see CNN Headline News today reporting on Kerry's speech Friday to the National Conference of State Legislatures in Seattle.

(Hat tips to the good folks at DU: kerrygoddess for the Seattle Times article, globalvillage for tipping us off to CNN coverage, and pirhana for spotting lots of other coverage.)

The Seattle Times: Scrappy Kerry blisters Republicans, touts Democratic comeback at state level

The Massachusetts senator said the national government has been hijacked by fast-talking, mean-spirited and destructive Republicans. After blistering Republicans on everything from Iraq to health care, Kerry said Democrats have an opportunity to rebuild from coast to coast by simply addressing the concerns that affect people's daily lives — energy, transportation, health care and security, for starters. The Massachusetts senator said the national government has been hijacked by fast-talking, mean-spirited and destructive Republicans. After blistering Republicans on everything from Iraq to health care, Kerry said Democrats have an opportunity to rebuild from coast to coast by simply addressing the concerns that affect people's daily lives — energy, transportation, health care and security, for starters.

(snip)

Kerry scoffed at the idea that Democrats need an extreme makeover.

"We have to go out and fight for the real issues that make a difference in the lives of the American people and we don't need some great lurch to the right or lurch to the left or redefinition of the Democratic Party.

"The last thing America needs is a second Republican Party."

Kerry said Bush and the Republicans have used the terrorism issue to divert attention from issues that favored the Democrats.

And the best of what sounds like it was a great speech:

In an arch comment about the president's recent statement in favor of teaching "intelligent design" as an alternative to the theory of evolution, Kerry said, "I think we ought to be getting some intelligent design in our policy in Iraq."

That drew a standing ovation and whoops of delight from the audience.

Heh heh. Sounds like Mr . Kerry was in fine form. And the clips they had on CNN showed that he was, indeed.

Permalink posted by MH : 10:42 PM