The Command Post
2004 US Presidential Election
July 29, 2004
Boston | Wes Clark, In Command

Wes Clark is working the crowd into an absolute lather, and each applause line is more robust than the rest. First it was for this:

War. I’ve been there. Heard the thump of enemy mortars. Seen the tracers fly. Bled on the battlefield. Recovered in hospitals. Received and obeyed orders. Sent men and women into battle. Awarded medals, comforted families, attended funerals. And this soldier has news for you: Anyone who tells you that one political party has a monopoly on the best defense of our nation is committing a fraud on the American people.

Then it was for this:

This hall and this party are filled with veterans who have served under this flag - our flag. We rose and stood reveille to this flag. We saluted this flag. We fought for this flag. And we’ve seen brave men and women buried under this flag. This flag is ours! And nobody will take it away from us.

His style: in command but very relaxed. Clearly knows his speech extremely well, and not at all wedded to the TelePrompTer. If the point is for the Hero General to anoint a Commander In Chief, Clark’s doing it. Whatever you may say of the content, he’s nailing the delivery. Unless he falls of the dais, it’s a home run.



Posted by Alan at July 29, 2004 08:12 PM | TrackBack
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