JK and Bill Clinton on CSPAN TONIGHT

[MBS]

ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE (6:30 pm ET) Campaigning in Texas
Today
Former President Bill Clinton campaigns for his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), at a townhall meeting in Killeen, Texas. Also, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) campaigns for Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) in Galveston, Texas.

Nice pic, too:

[karynnj]

1. That is a nice picture with a nice smile

You would never guess that he is the older of two men. That's not the worst picture of Clinton - but it's close!

[MarjorieG]

23. The author of our Iraq policy giving foreign policy creds, YES

I have the TV on in the next room as ocmpany, with the CNN debate looping alot today. I always perk up at the delusional riff.

A tired JK, reaching for basic words occassionally, is still the best in my book. He made clear how Obama's health insurance plan is a better opening hand, and so many other details.

He was so loose and sincerely enthusiastic, it's a joy to see, and so ever helpful!

Please assure me that Hillary is not convincing everyone of his inexperience. I hope the voters' still remember her meltdown a week from now.


Oops, replied to wrong message.

[globalvillage]

2. Nice!

And I agree, that's a great pic of JK.

[MarjorieG]

3. Replay at 9:30, and smiling lots lately.

[JI7]

4. i was kind of hoping it would be a debate between them

but i doubt Bill would ever agree to it.

[wisteria]

5. Thanks for the notice. It is a nice picture of Senator Kerry. n/t

[ralbertson]

6. But what about his tie??

I'm just askin'.

For historical purposes only, you understand.

[sandnsea]

7. He's tieless!!!!

:wow:

Oh noes!!

:)

[JI7]

8. hot and casual

and very impressive. and he just looks so happy.

[sandnsea]

9. I was thinking that too

He seems very comfortable and glad that the country is going to be in good hands. He's just such an amazing person. I don't know how you go through that primary and election, and keep fighting. And he didn't miss a beat. Made of some tough stuff for sure.

[Luftmensch067]

10. And such a fascinating difference between Bill Clinton's speech and his

Bill Clinton does this huckster-voodoo thing and talks very fast and smooth. JK, on the other hand, once he gets going, is absolutely stunning :-) in his DEPTH. Once he connects with his passion for a subject, he is speaking at such an impressive level of knowledge and conviction and yet speakng so clearly and comprehensibly that he has people mesmerized.

Both BC and JK can put people in that same state of rapt attention, but BC does it with empty pyrotechnics which condescend to his audience, while JK assumes the intelligence and commitment of his audience and engages with them as equals.

[Inuca]

16. Champaign vs. old red wine n/t

[politicasista]

19. This comment was priceless

From the BO blog:

By New Destiny Today

John Kerry has way more people at his rally than Bill did.. WOW

:patriot:

[MBS]

26. bingo!

"huckster-voodoo" , "empty pyrotechnics" YEAH.
JK seemed cheerfully exhausted,even a little jet-lagged loopy , which I found endearing. But even at his most exhausted, JK's depth, kindness, passion and integrity outshine Bill's voodoo by 10, 000 miles.

[ginnyinWI]

21. He and Teddy must feel happy when they look to the future--

A Dem president--think of it--after eight years of pestilence and obstruction--so that they can actually do their jobs in the Senate--actually get something done instead of tirelessly put up bills that get nowhere. And almost certainly more Dems in the Senate and House by next year. I'd be very happy too. In fact, I am!

[karynnj]

25. I remember a Kennedy comment

shortly before the November 2004 elections, where he was happily thinking of what a Kerry administration might be. I assume they both have the same feeling that Kennedy did then - and this time they are a little more aware of the Republican tactics and know the fight they will have on their hands. (I also assume that the Clinton wing will actually work with us better once she loses - or it will be easier to not have them inside the campaign. Kerry, in 2004, had no reason to think they would come on board the wagon and then like some kids drag their feet.)

[fedupinBushcountry]

28. I really hope they are not

inside the campaign. JK when responding to one of the questions said that he took advice about the attacks and although it was his judgement to take that advice it was the wrong advice. I really wonder who gave him such advice since BC did not want him talking about Vietnam. JK learns from his mistakes and I think that alone will help Obama tremendously.

Also another guy asking a question stated that JK ran an excellent campaign, that was good to hear and I'm sure that made JK feel good, it made me feel good knowing that yes, damn it he did and thank you for saying it, I wanted to hug that guy. :-)

[karynnj]

29. I agree with you - he did run a good campaign

The CW that he didn't came from all the Clinton and,to a lesser degree, Edwards people's comments both getting more press than anyone near Kerry. His near flawless primary race was better than any this year - in terms of avoiding mistakes. (Obama's campaign has more excitement, but it has the media support that Kerry never really got.) Both groups needed to assign flaws to Kerry when those accounts were written to make a case for why he couldn't win in 2008.

The fact is that he was the real deal - he had the accomplishments on every major issue that HRC and JRE really don't. He is also more eloquent than either. HRC competes with him and may even beat him on being articulate, but she has none of his natural eloquence. JRE would actually have been believable in his 2008 stances - if he could have grafted on JK's history. Kerry was the activist and the one who really did challenge corruption in government - Edwards was just playing a new role.

Had he been seen as having nearly won an unfair race that no one in Dec 2003 thought could be won - generic Democrat was down double digits - Howard Dean (the only name polled) was down 20 - with his real accomplishments, his known integrity and the fact that HE, not HRC was the only candidate completely vetted and found to have extremely little baggage - they would not have stood a chance. especially Edwards - side by side with Kerry, it was obvious that he was no match) HRC would have had a bit more trouble claiming S-CHIP with JK on the stage with TK behind him from the beginning.

[politicasista]

11. I caught bits and pieces......

He was good although he looked tired because of trip and jet lag, but I did stumbled on this at the Obama campaign blog (if anyone wants to refute it).

By BreakingFree! 45 minutes ago
Kerry is a nice guy but i think it would be helpful if he is more succinct and focussed, he has a tendency to ramble and that lowers the impact and can confuse the audience. E.g he said AZ gov endorsed him because she knew that he can win AZ,, didnt she win AZ?

[Mass]

12. Obviously, Napolitano thought Obama can win the GE, not the primary.

Of course, this was before McCain became the nominee, so I guess AZ is not really in play anymore.

For the rest, I am not listening, but different people like different styles. Apparently, your interlocutor does not like Kerry's. Not a big deal.

[politicasista]

13. No, not a big deal

People like different styles. It depends.

Guess I have been lurking beyond DU to see what fellow Obama supporters are thinking since Kerry endorsed him last month.

[Inuca]

14. In all fairness

I think he he was not as focused and flawlessly following an idea as he usually is. He was obviously tired, and made a couple of minor mistakes, for instance I think he referred at some point to Missouri's governor having endorsed BO. Given his recent schedule, it is incredible that he could function as well as he did.

[JI7]

15. for people who question whether Obama has the experience

or understands the issues and will be able to deal with actually being President. Kerry helps in that area.

Obama can already give a great speech. people looking for excitement or whatever else will support Obama already. i don't think they need Kerry to give the same.

the people Kerry talked to had questions about serious matters. they are the type that might support Hillary just because they might think Obama was not up to the job. but seeing someone like Kerry support Obama gets them to consider Obama.

[karynnj]

17. Clinton did win the Democratic primary in AZ

That does not mean that she would do better in the general election than Obama. Kerry's point was that this large set of red state people all said that Obama would do better in the general election - and Napitano was one of them. This was not the most focused I ever saw Kerry - but he had just spent a week in the middle East and had likely flown out to Texas the next morning. It was amazing that he was even coherent.

That trip had to be extremely exhausting - even without the emergency landing. He monitored elections in what is likely the most dangerous powder keg in the world and spoke the next day with Mushariff - very delicate diplomacy by the three Senators, Afghanistan is a mess and they were up near the Pakistan border, then Turkey with everything going on there. (India must have seemed a vacation!) This was a very intense, demanding trip emotionally and mentally. Though even had it been a week in a resort there, he would have been jet lagged. Then when you consider that he's 64 - it is amazing.

[politicasista]

18. And Obama supporters appreciate the support

I think for those that may not have paid attention in 04 or weren't impressed with the campaign, or hearing the good senator for the 1st time may not get a good feel for his speaking style. As Mass said above, everyone's style is different. It all depends on taste. I know the chronic bashers/haters watching C-SPAN will try to spin the audience behind him as bored.

Some people may prefer fire or slogans speak (i.e. soundbites), others may prefer more detail, thought provoking speak. I personally thought the senator towards the end of the 04 campaign when he quit listening to the consultants and took out the stats and just spoke from the heart.

Comments like this one are appreciated also :) :

By ****~~~Eresha NYC~~~****
I love cspan. John Kerry is on right now. The campaign needs to use him more. He is so great!!

By Ruth in SoCal
I agree, I saw him earlier in the day on CSPAN. He does very well in the town hall setting. I was quite impressed.

By mm
thanks for the heads up! He's speaking more eloquently about Obama than he did about himself when he was running...

By SweetinLouisiana
I was listening and thinking the same thing.

Hey--- Yes We Can!

And yes, I agree with you, the trip was demanding, if not emotionally and mentally draining, but at 64, he has a lot of good energy.

[ginnyinWI]

22. the man loves his job.

I mean, to him it's not just a job, it's a cause. Working tirelessly for a lifetime to make America better, not just to build himself up--takes a deep love for the country and the people in it. That's what makes him go.

And yeah, even at 64, it's great. I'm nine years younger and if it were me, I'd be stumbling around trying to remember my name!

[Inuca]

24. "India must have seemed a vacation!" :-)

Just a nuclear agreement to talk about, no big deal :-).

[karynnj]

27. yeah I know - not to mention their underlying relationship with Pakistan

Yet one poster responding to the helicopter story on GD-P even asked why these Senators weren't in DC doing their job!

[ginnyinWI]

20. nice to see the big guy again!

And I don't mean Bill. ;) No jet lag, either--don't know how he does it.

I haven't watched the whole thing yet but it was very nice to see.