Finally heard "the speech"...much ado about nothing...

[vi5]

Seriously. I have my issues with Dean and many of his supporters but I"m sorry this was little more than a very loud campaign rally from a no doubt tired candidate, to a group of no doubt disheartened and tired supporters.

I can't say how this went over or will go over with other undecided voters, and I will say that if people see or hear it and judge for themselves that it's not some big conspiracy or a corporatist plot. I know a lot of people who this did have an impact on and did react negatively to it. For the life of me I can't really see why, although I won't dismiss their feelings on the matter.

But I myself as an undecided couldn't see letting what I heard and saw in that speech sway me one way or another. And if this is what causes Dean to slip elsewhere then it would make me very sad because despite my differences with his campaign and his style I think he's better than that and I think he's done a world of good for this primary race. So for him to go out because of what amounts to an unguarded moment would be a shame.

[bigwillq]

1. i agree with your statements

I hope voters won't be swayed negatively. Even positively, one speech shouldn't make a voter change. If you're for Dean then, you should stick with him. If you weren't for Dean then, I hope you're still supporting your candidate.
I liked the speech, thought it was very passionate and agree that I don't think it's that big of a deal.

[jpgray]

2. It wasn't nothing--it was quite unexpected for me at least

I agree it's being a little overplayed in terms of importance, and especially for "insights into Dean's character", but when I saw it, I was really surprised.

[vi5]

5. Well, like I said...I can't speak for anyone else.....

And too many people I know who are not biased and who don't have an agenda reacted negatively to it. But like I said, I don't like when unguarded moments are turned on people. Even ones I disagree with.

[jpgray]

7. I totally agree--witness my thread on this very subject (nt)

[ogminlo]

3. The rousing rhetoric was fine...

It was the Kermit the Frog-like YYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! at the end that had me recoiling in confused discomfort.

[RetroLounge]

8. Did you literally recoil?

Were you truly confused?

Was it actual discomfort?

Were you on a couch coiled up?

Squished in a chair with discomfort?

Did your expression show actual confusion?

or is this just more rhetoric.

I'm trying to get the visual, that's all...

[ogminlo]

10. Calm down son...

I was listening to NPR in the car on the way to work and it did put a "eww" look on my face.

Not constipation-style discomfort, but surprised discomfort.

Rhetoric is public speech. It doesn't always mean political BS.

It went like this: I heard the wild yell at the end, scrunched up my face, and said "whoa, calm down son."

[Sly Kal]

4. Dean supprters

I find the supporters or several other candidates much more offensive in their behavior. I like Dean, but Clark is getting my support.

[asjr]

6. Much ado about

Dean's speech is what the media is supporting. We know that and can discount it. I am a Dean supporter and would not expect less from him. I know he was disappointed in coming in third but this campaign is hardly over. I think Democrats have been energized and the momentum will carry through.

[MikeG]

9. He should have been more contrite.

All he did was give his enemies a weapon to use against him.
For the record, I am still undecided, and being a Pennsylvania resident, will not get to vote until April 27 when this race should be long over.