I heard Kerry dredge up another old socialist chestnut today, when he was talking about health care. “I’m going to give every citizen the same health care that senators give themselves.”

That kind of demogoguery is just as nonsensical now as it is when the senator’s portly colleague, the senior senator from Massachussetts, used it over two decades ago.

Does he propose to provide every American citizen with a Senator’s salary? With other senatorial perks and benefits, such as free haircuts and subsidized meals? Free gym memberships?

Secret Service security details? I’ll bet a lot of people in the inner cities would like that one.

How about a generous pension?

No?

Then what’s his point? Why should they get senatorial health care?

Just heard a clip of Bush on his new tour (as in the title of this post)–a dig at Kerry’s comment that the heart and soul of America was represented by Whoopie Goldberg & Co. He said “Springfield, Missoura.” I wonder if that’s a natural Texan pronunciation, or if he knows it’s what the natives (outside of St. Louis) call it?

Just heard a clip of Bush on his new tour (as in the title of this post)–a dig at Kerry’s comment that the heart and soul of America was represented by Whoopie Goldberg & Co. He said “Springfield, Missoura.” I wonder if that’s a natural Texan pronunciation, or if he knows it’s what the natives (outside of St. Louis) call it?

Just heard a clip of Bush on his new tour (as in the title of this post)–a dig at Kerry’s comment that the heart and soul of America was represented by Whoopie Goldberg & Co. He said “Springfield, Missoura.” I wonder if that’s a natural Texan pronunciation, or if he knows it’s what the natives (outside of St. Louis) call it?

If you think that the prospects for Iraq are good, here’s a way to make money on your belief.

…is, to me, one of the most irritating people in public life. I’m listening to the 911 hearing stuff on the Hill. Like Algore, she talks to us like a kindergarten teacher, and she sounds a little slow herself. I really think of her as one of the dimmer bulbs in the Senate (which is really saying something, considering all the competition), and it’s a little frightening to have her playing a significant role in this activity.

I agree with Virginia Postrel:

Aside from the much-remarked-upon flag-waving-veteran talk, the speech was mostly made up of (in Kerry’s anti-GOP words) “narrow appeals masquerading as values.” Better a tongue-tied president than a demagogue.

To the limited (perhaps none) degree that it was possible, last night’s speech only increased my antipathy to the junior Senator from Massachussetts.

You have to feel sorry for the poor schmuck just interviewed at the convention who said that tonight was “…the greatest moment of my life up to now.”

I couldn’t avoid watching Kerry’s speech. I switched to Fox to watch a Simpsons rerun, but it was on every channel.

It was mostly platitudes, as expected. My summary of Kerry’s foreign policy (which, assuming that the economy continues to improve, will be the main campaign issue): We will go to all lengths to avoid war, and we will only do so if we can get the French on board.

My recommendation for Karl Rove: We will go to all lengths to avoid another September 11th.

I couldn’t avoid watching Kerry’s speech. I switched to Fox to watch a Simpsons rerun, but it was on every channel.

It was mostly platitudes, as expected. My summary of Kerry’s foreign policy (which, assuming that the economy continues to improve, will be the main campaign issue): We will go to all lengths to avoid war, and we will only do so if we can get the French on board.

My recommendation for Karl Rove: We will go to all lengths to avoid another September 11th.