Kind of funny that the other guy in the running, Howard Dean, fell too far toward being everyman and was kicked out of contention by the party.

I hear your point about the comment Eric.

Bottom line is that this was a fabulous speech, at least from the highlights. I will catch the rest after work. But, it appears that he had a good understanding of what needed to be said, he might have even bought into it, and he said it most eloquently.

His speech was the most human and touching moment in the entire campaign. It made the reality of what will never be all the more poignant and painful.

This is a sad day.

I didn't hear it that way at all - Kerry said "I have yours, too." Anyone have a link to the audio?

He is clearly familiar with the phrase, and used it within the last few days (Monday night?).


And Cheney and Bush were the guys to worry about: Cheney with his "mandate" and Bush promising to move ahead with wrecking social security.

NOW I know where I remember Kerry from ... he played Officer Hoppy on Sanford and Son.

It seems that Kerry tried to ride the anti-Bush sentiment into the White House and it didn't work.

Instead of conceding he should do this:

1.) Tell all Kerry electors to cast their Prez vote for John McCain and Colin Powell for VP.

2.) Try to get Bush Electors to change their vote to McCain/Powell. This plan would need 17 Bush electors to defect. Since the defection would only be Bush to McCain, it is possible there are 17 Republican electors who would do so (to "unify the country.")

Now either McCain is elected President, or more likely:

Bush 269 EV
McCain 200 EV
Kerry 52 EV (because not all Kerry electors would change votes, in fear states that consider it a crime)

and the election is thrown into the House. All the dem state delegations would vote McCain, and probably a few Repub state delegations would go for McCain too.

Although Kerry can't win the Presidency anymore, if he was smart, they would try to make sure a republican they could live with (like McCain) could end up in the White House.

Too bad Kerry and the Dems are dumb.

I heard it the same way Hal did: "I have yours, too." - Did you verify his wording with an audio before reporting? - If in fact that is what he said, and you erroneously misquoted him as saying "I love yours, too" it is indeed a "telling moment" of your own journalistic standards - Either way, was it worse than Bush's "I know how hard it is to put food on your family" ... ??

Or Ob/Gyn's who want to practice their love on women?

If you go to www.cbsnews.com and watch the full video of the concession speech, Kerry clearly states "I'll still have your [back] too" - he does not confuse the statement.

The video, and the Federal Document Clearing House transcript clearly say "I love yours too."

AT this point I am certain he knew the term 'got your back" and it was simply a verbal fumble caused by fatigue, emotion, whatever. I think my general theory has merit, but I don't think this particular statement is proof of that theory.

Your original link, Eric, has it as:

Audience member: We still got your back!

Thank you, man. And I assure you - you watch - I'll still have yours.

The video clip audio is mushier than the radio address I heard in real-time, so I can see where the error may have come from.

yes, but that is Kerry's own transcription, which I noted above "corrects" the statement, probably because it didn't make much sense. I ascribe no nefarious motive to the statement or the transcription.

But the FDCH transcript is the one that best matches the audio, in my opinion. As I said, the AP version doesn't mention the exchange at all

I don't think it matters what any transcripts say - if you watch the video, it is clear as day that he says 'And I assure you, I'll still have yours.'

The link is here

Scroll down and choose the link 'Kerry's Full Speech' (not the shortened 'Kerry's Concession Speech'. Watch the video and at around 2 min 45, you can see definitively that Kerry does NOT botch his words.

I was touched by Kerry's speech. It was as human as he had been at any time during a campaign loaded with phoniness. Which would you rather have had? Kerry on a motorcycle on Leno, or Kerry letting you see how much it meant to him? Finally, Kerry showed that he could be likeable.

This follows Gore and Dole- likeable finally after the game is over. I sincerely hope that future candidates take note of this. Forget the consultants that advise you to be negative and ever on the attack. Sure, some of it is inevitable and probably necessary, but just a little vulnerability and, dare I say, humor, would go a hell of a long way.

My sentiments exactly.

As to Kerry in the duck blinds, that scene reminded me strongly of A Face in the Crowd. Demagogue populist tv personality Lonesome Rhodes (pre-Mayberry Andy Griffith) late in the movie was pimping this evil right-wing Senator Fuller to run for president.

At one point, Lonesome shows up with some footage of him and Fuller out duck hunting. The payoff is Lonesome talking off-camera to his crew, mocking the senator.

Granted, John Kerry obviously has some previous experience handling a gun, so it's not quite as cheesy. Still, the pure fakery of both scenes is highly entertaining.

Peter, I did exactly what you sadi, watched th eCBS video, and it could not be more clear that he said, "And I'll still love yours, too"

Like I said, I don't think it means anything, but that really, really is what he said.

If you don't think it means anything, than why did you call it a "remarkably telling moment"? The backbone of your original post was based on the premise that "...Kerry clearly wasn't familiar with the popular phrase 'I got your back'...A person truly familiar with the vernacular, with the culture, wouldn't have made the mistake..." which (you thought) proved your theory that he "...never quite connected with the soul of the nation..." And then after someone questions your conclusion, you think you can fool us with "...I am certain that he knew the term 'Got your back'..." and you "...don't think it means anything..." Why the flip-flopping, Olsen? Why is it so difficult to admit that you were wrong?

Eric, I can't convince you otherwise but I really don't believe you'd be trying to argue that Kerry actually said what you're claiming if it hadn't form the entire core of your article about him. I'm sure you don't honestly believe (upon hearing the video) that he said what you're claiming. You may indeed be right with what you accuse him off - but you'll have to find some other mishap upon which to found this criticism because what he says is clear as day.