Kerry's Eulogy of Reagan Scores a Hat Trick

[barking_iguana]

From Kerry's blog:

"Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats' hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.
"He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, `Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.'

"Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

"Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

"Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine - `from sea to shining sea' - Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved."

Kerry did just what he needed to. He

1. highlighted something good about Reagan -- there isn't a lot to choose from there
2. subtly enough highlighted Shrub's shortcomings in contrast to what Reagan was praised for
3. didn't ignore that we disagreed with Reagan's policies.

A nice hat trick. It's the sort of getting things just right that I haven't seen much of from Democratic Presidential candidates, except in 1992.

Comments

[chemoelectric.livejournal.com]

Iran-Contra was not "in the spirit of honest and open debate." However, when Reagan apologized to the nation by basically pleading dementia, maybe he wasn't lying. I have to wonder.

Anyway, I don't doubt Reagan's love of country. This alone distinguishes Legitimate President Reagan from George W. Bush.

The indelible stamp

[(Anonymous)]

Was that the huge deficit, the conservative supreme court, or what?

Fred

Re: The indelible stamp

[barking-iguana.livejournal.com]

I think it was the legitemization of hatred for the poor.