John Edwards

John Edwards gave his speech tonight (transcript here). I was actually surprised that, after Obama speech last night, he used his two America's speech again. He did try to meld it into a theme of two America's becoming one America but I didn't think that it worked very well. Also, Obama's one America speech was that we are one now, not that we will magically become one with a democratic victory in November. I also felt that the delivery was pretty flat, at least for John Edwards and compared to Obama and Bill Clinton. The contrast with Clinton (who Edwards is often compared to) was particullary sharp. Clinton seemed to be able to lead his audiance effortlessly, even to the point that the audiance was saying some of the words with him. Edwards, whose repition line "Help is on the way", was obviously pre-scipted given the signs that mysteriously appeared throughout the convention hall, had real trouble getting the audience in the rythem with him. He also seemed somewhat tired and already worn down by the campaign. One part of his speech that I did like, and as an American appreciated was this:

And we will have one clear unmistakable message for al Qaida and the rest of these terrorists. You cannot run. You cannot hide. And we will destroy you.

As someone who believes in Democracy, I am willing to accept that the candidate I support might not win this election. It is better of all of us if it is clear, as John Edwards makes here, that a win for the Democrats is not a win for the terrorists. John Edwards also performed another one of his famous psychic feats (remember, he isn't this guy, although confusion is understandable.)

Tonight, as we celebrate in this hall, somewhere in America, a mother sits at the kitchen table. She can't sleep. She's worried because she can't pay her bills. She's working hard to pay the rent and feed her kids. She's doing everything right, but she still can't get ahead. It didn't use to be that way in her house. Her husband was called up in the Guard and he's been serving in Iraq for more than a year. She thought he'd be home last month, but now he's got to stay longer. She thinks she's alone. But tonight in this hall and in your homes — you know what? She's got a lot of friends. We want her to know that we hear her. And it's time to bring opportunity and an equal chance to her door.

I'm sure those positive vibes are a great comfort to this poor, unnamed woman.