Respek

After a long year almost of tremendous partisanship and downright hate at times I have gained a bit of respect for 'the other sides' man. I listened carefully to both speeches today and was taken aback by the seemingly honest and sincere call by Sen. Kerry for unity. President Bush's speech was equally moving but for some reason I seemed to find Kerry's call for standdown of division moving my heart. Regardless of what he has said and unsaid in the past I truly feel he means what he said today.
Hopefully yours,
Lecktor

Further proof that nice guys finish last.

I had the same reaction when Al Gore conceded in 2000.

It's nice to see that humility is a virtue that makes a person ... a person.

Thanks Eggy

That's nice of you to say Lecktor.

Can I come out from under the bed now?

Please do !! I have stated in here many times I dislike Bush but couldn't support Democratic nominee with such a torrid and weak past. What he did today vilified him as a human in my eyes. He only has one more step to take to gain my full respect. Although I doubt he will do it. Nevertheless, I hope the Democratic party were listening as intently as I was.

I didnt mean anything political by it. I just meant exactly that.
Those who are most agressive are often the most successful, and "nice guys" do tend to "finish last".
I have to praise Kerry's fine taste in women though, considering that Teresa Heinz Kerry is of Portuguese ascent =)

I accept that and appreciate your views. I'm just glad it's 'over' and hope for the best.

Very nice guys and gals, thumbs up to Lecktor!!!

Do we think we could possible learn something from this and that it may rub off on our little SL community and each other? Here we have two drasticly different views to something as menial as running the control of the freeworld, yet we still remain uncivil to each other in our ever monumentally important "game" and threads here in SL. You'd think if they could show each other respect in such times then we should be a tad more humble and thoughtful in our dealings with each other here.

You are to be commended Sir Lecktor.

Before someone gets started "menial/monumental" = sarcasm

I've heard about those Portuguese women...

But, I must say, I'm more interested in those Portuguese men.

I agree, Kerry gave a great speech and is quite a gentleman! I hope I can be as gracious in my life.

Kerry is a good man. I know some people might not agree with his positions or even his actions, but I always felt that he was doing what he thought was right.

I know many people didn't watch F911. I only watched it a few weeks ago when it was on DVD. One of the most interesting scenes in the movie was when Al Gore had to preside over the Senate when a slew of congressmen were trying to push forward a motion without Senate sign on. I know people thought they were helping but Al Gore had to stand up there and shoot them down one by one to uphold the rules of the Senate.

I'm glad Kerry chose to handle things this way. It will be better for the country.

Curmudgeon that I am, I have to throw just a glass of water on this thread...

I believe that most academics who study campaign rhetoric would agree that concession speeches are generally very strategic and ingenuine. The most basic level of analysis of such speeches provides includes the following observations as common elements:

First, the loser must appear to be gracious or his/her career aspirations could be ended by one simple speech. No one wants to elect a poor sport and the media (if not the electorate) has a long memory for such things.

Second, the loser must make an appeal for uniity and to call for his own supporters to rally behind the winner.

Third, the loser must appear to accept the "will of the people" as having chosen "the better man" without simultaneously appearing to be beaten.

Fourth, losers must not seem or express bitterness.

Fifth, a call to others to continue the fight - as loyal opposition at worst - sets up the candidate for a potential return sometime in the future.

Speeches of campaign winners are equally strategic.... and can be similarly analyzed.

For those and a few other reasons, I don't believe a word of Kerry's concession speech was genuine - except for thanking those who were part of his immediate campaign staff. Few politicians, IMHO, actually care about/know Joe Average... to most, a single vote ain't worth squat... Kerry is no different here. It would seem to be superhuman to be able to flick a switch and turn from the vitriol of the day before and actually mean the things he said in his concession speech.

Maybe I am too much of a curmudgeon... but analysis after analysis of similar speeches across the range of political campaigns in the US has found these commonalities and support my view. Politicans must always be looking at the next election, even even in the seconds immediately after the end of the current one ends. Failing to do so can end careers, and occasionally has.

Hey Korg, thanks for being part of the unity movement.

It's always nice to see the winners willing to accept a concession and move forward with their plan.

Goddammit I wish we could ban people from our posts
Thanks pal. Oh and the word curmudgeon doesn't even begin to describe you sir.

You assume that I wouldn't have made the same comment had Bush made a concession speech.

Thanks for you confidence and support.

Johnny

Here we have two drasticly different views to something as menial as running the control of the freeworld,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Control of the free world? I don't think so. Bush may have managed to persuade Tony Blair (Prime Minister of the UK in case you didn't know) and our troops into Iraq, as he has other countries, but he does not control this country nor any others. I think he should concentrate on getting it right in his own country, before he tries controlling the rest of the world.