Here's a 2 minute closing statement for Kerry's Wednesday debate, based on the two ideas:
(1) Bush is isolated in a fantasy world of spin;
(2) Tying Bush's "stay the course" mantra with the captain of the Titanic.
Kerry's closing statement, Tempe Arizona, Wednesday October 13, 2004.
Thankyou Bob, Mr President, and thank you, the University of Arizona, for hosting this debate. And special thanks to you, the audience, for being here tonight.
I decided to run for President because our country is headed in the wrong direction. And not only is it headed in the wrong directdion, but the President and his advisors don't even recognize that we're off course. They cannot face the reality of facts on the ground. Instead of facing facts, they spin them.
When you and I see the chaos in Iraq, the President tells us we're making progress. When you and I see countries around the world hating and resenting America, the President tells us he's doing the right thing. And where you and I, and the rest of the world, see no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and no just cause for rushing to war, the President tells us it doesn't matter. And the list of spin just gets longer. Where you and I see environmental protections being rolled back just to pad corporate profits, desecrating God's good earth, the President tells us that the skies are clear and the forests are healthy. Where you and I know that schools accross the country are failing, the President tells us no child is being left behind.
There is a serious disconnect between the reality we live, and the President's world of spin.
The President and Vice President say, quote, "stay the course". They tell us that if you change course, in spite of learning new facts, then you lack core convictions. Well, another commander allegedly said "stay the course". Those may have been the last words uttered by captain of the Titanic. When the commander is steering your ship of state into an iceberg, it's wisest to change course. And if the captain insists on staying that course, you probably ought to consider getting a new commander. I am ready to take the helm. But I will steer us in a wiser, safer course. When things get rough, rather than spinning the facts, to fit a fantasy, I will level with you, and tell you how I plan to set things straight. We can get our ship of state back on course. We can grow our economy, protect the homeland, and fight the terrorists, with brains as well as brawn. We can be stronger at home, and respected, once more, around the world. That is, afterall, what a President and Commander-in-Chief must do.
Thankyou very much.
Consider this a first draft. Also consider it not authored by me: I would like to incorporate comments / changes / suggestions directly, and keep iterating the peice, so it becomes a group Dkos production, over the next few days. A work of our hivemind.
It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
Harry S. Truman.
So chip in folks. This is
yours, or
ours --- not mine!