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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Red Meat -- Al Sharpton

Update: I'd toss out there that Gen. Clark had a powerful speech tonight. Also, Democracy Now! (which I can get on t.v. via Free Speech TV) had some stuff on the lack of dissent during the convention. One noteworthy tidbit was pressure on Kucinich delegates, thirty-seven of whom resisted, to vote for Kerry. DN is one media body that was concerned about delegates. The show also aired some of Kucinich's speech -- some good red meat there too (links to major speeches available at NYT website and other major papers).

I think here, here, and here does a pretty good job discussing Kerry's speech with the final blog putting the convention as a whole in perspective. Time to move on.


Howard Dean got a big round of applause when he came to the mike, partly because people missed his passion, his red meat. Some, even those supporting Kerry in the primary season (perhaps after it seemed he was the candidate, the closer), were a bit depressed at the "safe" convention.

The positive message, the support of broad vague themes, and not enough specifics (both of what is wrong with the current administration and what a Kerry Administration would do differently) didn't quite do it for them. Something Kerry's words (like his comment that the proposal of forty thousand more troops isn't "for Iraq" and the ending of the "back door draft" of the National Guard) tonight might help assuage. He is doing a pretty good job in that regard.

Others have spoken about how the Democrats are not properly addressing their base, including grass roots activism. Farai Chideya (who along with Laura Flanders, co-hosts Your Call) reminds Kerry and the rest of the Democrats that they must "Leave No Flygirl Behind" and address the needs and concerns of the young, the "hip hop" generation. Others noted that the Democrats had no real presence at a recent National Hip-Hop Political Convention. Such things must be kept in mind, as Dean found out when his concern for minorities was called into question.

Dahlia Lithwick over in Slate was curious why the judiciary wasn't more of an issue. Something I agree is very important, along with the administrative departments of the person who wins on November 2. And, in all three of these issues, Al Sharpton impressed. How about this Dahlia: "This court has voted five to four on critical issues of women's rights and civil rights. It is frightening to think that the gains of civil and women rights and those movements in the last century could be reversed if this administration is in the White House in these next four years." Not bad.

I wanted someone with passion, someone who spoke strongly about what is wrong with this administration, and someone strongly against the war in Iraq. This was the value of Dean, Kucinich, and Sharpton. In various ways, they were honestly not serious candidates, even (admit it Deaniacs) Howard Dean. Still, they spoke a lot of truth, and often with passion that enlivened us. Al Sharpton had his moment and he made the most of it. I'm listening to Kerry's speech now, and it has some red meat too. It's a pretty good speech. Still, a nod to those on the front lines, and those who had the ability to truly offer red meat.

We need it sometimes.