Kerry appeared very tired today...

[theHandpuppet]

MSNBC had live coverage of Kerry's appearance before the Nat'l Guard today and I was concerned about how tired he looked and sounded. He wasn't animated at all, his voice was subdued, he kept losing his train of thought and the response from the audience appeared to be lukewarm. Methinks our man needs a day of rest!

Mind you, I didn't get to see the whole speech because MSNBC had sudden "technical difficulties" that they attrbuted to satellite problems (um... sure) and they abruptly cut away to the anchor desk.

Anyway, it looked to me like our man needs a "pit stop" to refuel and refresh. Anyone else catch the Natl Guard speech today? Opinions?

[KittyWampus]

1. He Got A Very Good Reception From The Audience Throughout

he had to stop for applause multiple times.

You could hear the clapping... even though the cameras weren't on the crowd and there was no mike directed at them either.

Kerry looked Presidential to me... not tired.

[bigtree]

2. Bush looked tired today

Same tired lies
Same tired promises
Same tired excuses

[Sparkly]

4. I thought Bush looked very stupid today

like every day.

[kentuck]

3. Lawrence O'Donnell said as much on Olberman's show..

They compared what the speech was that he was supposed to read but he veered off the text with phrases like "gild the truth" etc. O'Donnell said he was physically fatigued. But he needs to stick to the words as they are written if he's going to give written speeches. Words have meaning. And the same words have different meanings in different contexts. Take a break, John. :)

[Sparkly]

6. I got the feeling something went wrong with the teleprompt, or

he didn't have the right notes, or something.

Certain phrases didn't match the advance prepared remarks, it seemed. I didn't follow along word by word like listening to an opera with the libretto, so I can't be certain. But it definitely seemed he was not reading.

[theHandpuppet]

8. Seemed that way to me, too

I was wondering if anyone else had the same reaction I did. I attributed it to fatigue, but perhaps something else was going on.

[bigtree]

10. Lawrence O'Donnell

seems to have nothing good to say about Kerry. I'm watching him and he seems fine. What a bunch of horseshit, compared to Bush's mangled hominisms, platitudes and lies. What's his excuse?

[Pirate Smile]

5. Olberman just did a story on this on Countdown on MSNBC.

He and Lawrence O'Donnell were talking about how Kerry had strayed from the released text (because it is new material) and how Kerry is just physically fatigued.

[LittleClarkie]

7. He's touring like a rock star

Bouncing around like a fiend. Maybe this weekend he can rest.

But I'm sure he's feeling the urgency as well as anyone. He only has so much time to get this thing done.

[theHandpuppet]

11. A fishin' pole and a day on a quiet lake...

Sounds like that's what our man needs. :) Hell, I could use that, too!

[kentuck]

12. Sometimes I think it would do us all good to take a day off...

We need to be mentally sharp and physically ready to kick ass near the end. When people are tired and exhausted, they make mistakes.

[LittleClarkie]

14. I know

November 3rd can't come soon enough. My brain's about to leak out my ears.

[partygirl]

9. yes. he looked tired

and maybe a little sad. I thinking he probably feels sad because people just aren't listening to him and giving his message attention. It is terrible but the debates are going to fix everything. two weeks and we debate on the economy!

[PATRICK]

13. Take a bath from the spin first

The message, the sad necessity, the tragedy is hardly upbeat or glorious or even an opportune moment for zippy jokes. Also he was talking to Guards from mainly the officer crust, not the rank and file. The fact he got loud applause(which we didn't get to see)says he did very well. Seeing the edited speech on CNN I can see how easily one can fall into their boxing of the event. remember you are looking at the focus of information from a square picture, cropped according to the opinions of the media. Random lighting on Kerry's craggy features will make him look tired one day and vibrant the next.

The main thing for OUR focus is how to deal with any impressions the uncritical CNN viewer takes away from the filtered experience, not succumb to the sad siren song ourselves.

[partygirl]

15. It is not a bad

thing to look tired--that is very human. I am not criticizing him for it. To me it means he has been working very hard.

and I definitely did not try to imply that he did a bad job.

Just that it looks like he has a burden on him. Which he does.

Lighten up. I support Kerry and my parents have given him more $$$ this year than most people earn in 10 years. So chill. We all want a Kerry win.

[Marlie]

16. I realize he's tired

He's been very beat up and I think he realizes it will be more than
tough as he's fighting the media and an absolutely dirty Karl Rove.
I feel as though some of the fire is leaving him and this simply
cannot happen - I've noticed a change in him. He needs to stay
fired up & enthusiastic or those voters we need, will not go the
the polls. It's up to him to stay upbeat as difficult as it may be.
This election is too important to the whole world for him to appear
tired at this point in the race. That simply would be devastating
to his campaign and God we need him to win.

[gardenista]

17. I thought he looked serious and respectful.

Anyone with his schedule would look tired. But I think he's just fine. Believe me, Therese is gonna take good care of him.

[tedoll78]

18. I noticed as much also.

His delivery was a bit slow; it almost looked as though he was searching for the words. I hope he's doing well. It might do him well to take a day off to chill on a sofa and watch TV or something.. just something to recharge his batteries.

[faithnotgreed]

19. i literally cannot imagine the pressure. millions telling you their lives

depend upon you. and every movement, every word, makes it to the media when THEY choose.

how these people can stand it i dont know. the media has all along tried their best to do a takedown

i hope he does get a days rest in

[Paradise]

20. Yes, a day of rest!

Just imagine the jetlag this guy faces every day.