June 3, 2004
NO SALLY FIELDS, HE:
DEAF DONKEY EARS (The Prowler, 6/3/2004, American Spectator)
Perhaps even Sen. John Kerry is beginning to sense the total lack of enthusiasm for his candidacy. Kerry seemed alarmed by the complete absence of applause, or other audience interaction, he was receiving from a small crowd in Tampa, Florida, on Wednesday.Kerry was there to accept the endorsement of a national union of emergency first responders, and to hold a "conversation" with local residents about his plans for protecting the nation from bio-terror attacks.
On several occasions, Kerry paused, seemingly expecting applause for his lines. For example, at one point he said, "I will do what I think is best for the country," then waited for applause that only developed after one of his advance staffers began leading a weak round of applause.
His lukewarm reception was so bad that Kerry lost his cool, telling his audience, "I know you don't want to be here anymore."
"That line actually generated more real cheers," says a bemused Florida Democratic Party official. "If this is the kind of response our campaign is getting elsewhere, we're dead. This was awful. He was awful."
How far to Camp O'Donnell? Posted by Orrin Judd at June 3, 2004 11:34 PM
That's funny. Probably it was you're usual wheeling dealing by Union Leaders, offering an endorsement, without any enthusiasm by actual union members.
I wouldn't read much into it, except poor execution by his campaign staff.
Posted by: h-man at June 4, 2004 6:52 AMCrowds not responding enthusiastically to John Kerry really isn't a phenomenom needing much explanation.
Posted by: David Cohen at June 4, 2004 7:10 AMKerry may be a terrible candidate but he will get 40% of the vote from the loyal Dems and anybody but Bush crowd. But if this keeps up he won't get much more than that.
Posted by: AWW at June 4, 2004 8:36 AMReminds me of Bill Clinton's catatonia-inducing nomination speech on behalf of Mike Dukakis (Mr. catatonia himself!) at the '88 convention. Clinton hadn't quite learned the craft of oratory yet, and the only line that got any applause was "In conclusion!"
Posted by: Mike Morley at June 4, 2004 11:01 AMPerhaps Kerry should speak only to groups celebrating the French influence on cultural progress. A few phrases of the old Francaise would really get them rocking.
But why should anyone expect John F. Kerry to get the blood moving at a union rally in the South?
Posted by: jim hamlen at June 4, 2004 12:28 PM