Kerry Radio Interview on NHPR - WOW!

[_dynamicdems]

This was incredible! It was a telephone interview and Senator Kerry demonstrated a different speaking style and voice quality. That voice! OMIGOD! I could listen to that voice for hours. I almost didn't pay attention to what the Senator was saying...almost. I kept thinking, is this really John Kerry? Just very...very. Wow. I could tell it was his voice but there was a quality to it that doesn't come through in his speeches. This sounded like a guy sitting in an arm chair with a double-scotch and a roaring fire in the background. It wasn't, I'm certain, because the call took place from the HQ in Manchester and that place didn't look so comfortable to me. Nonetheless, an impressive voice. Deep, intense, just enough raspy. A little bit of Orson Wells there.

Okay, enough on THE VOICE. You can hear that for yourself. It was what he said that really got to me. When the Senator was asked if he was frustrated by what he sees in the news he said that yes, he was frustrated, that he found it very frustrating because he cares about this country. He also said that he won't sit around moping and that we shouldn't. Then he said not ONE DAY has passed that he hasn't worked for change. His words were words of determination and idealism. The last thing Senator Kerry said at the end of the interview made me wonder. He talked about working for candidates across the country this year and next and ended with, "After that. We'll see." Or it may have been, "After that, I'll take it from there." (I'd can't remember the exact phrase...my mind is a sieve...but he gave the impression that he is keeping his options open and considering them carefully.)

The audio isn't up yet, but here is the link. I want to listen again.
http://www.nhpr.org/node/9856

[whometense]

1. I listened online.

and I agree - WOW. It was great. Anyone who accuses our favorite senator of being indecisive ought to listen to that interview.

He sure learned a lot last year.

[_dynamicdems]

2. Where did you find the audio online?

I want to hear it again!

No nuance tonight, none whatsoever. He was clear and conversational, but the imperative in his voice was "take no prisoners." This is one tough hombre. It would be a mistake to count him out our underestimate Senator Kerry. From all the attacks here lately, I think people are starting to realize that...and worry.

[whometense]

4. I agree - he was tough.

NO crap.

There is a live mp3 streaming link on the website, down the left side: http://peace.str3am.com:6400/listen.pls
But if you listen now it'll give you what's on now.

[Firespirit]

19. I listened...

It actually worked on my slow connection, and boy am I pleased about that! ;) He did come across as very decisive and tough. It was hot. And to the OP: there's nothing wrong with focusing on THE VOICE. :evilgrin:

[ginnyinWI]

3. I'd love to hear it when it's up

I did catch him last week on All Things Considered. I agree--that voice--so comforting, somehow. So full of caring and conviction. So familiar, true, but also inspiring.

[whometense]

5. It looks like they post interviews

in mp3 format, so you can download them and play them in itunes - or whatever.

[_dynamicdems]

6. It's up!

http://www.nhpr.org/node/9856

[Island Blue]

7. THANKS!!

[Mass]

8. Thanks!

[Mass]

9. Excellent - The only thing I would have added was the fact that he had

said clearly what authority he gave to Bush and under what conditions just before the vote was casted. I dont understand why he does not remind people of this speech and why he did not do that during the campaign.

[Island Blue]

10. I agree

I wish he would repeat word for word what he said on the Senate floor before the vote. It was undeniable in his floor speech what he was giving authority for.

As far as the NH interview, I thought it was great! I loved how he said he hasn't looked back for a minute (paraphrasing here) but that he continues to get out there and fight every day.

[karynnj]

11. I think that's a good idea - he did enumerate

at least some (all?) of the conditions in the conversation so all he waould have had to do was to add "as I said on the Senate floor before voting" - probably phrased better. I do see he is no longer making the point that he didn't vote for war but gave the authority under certain circumstances. (maybe because the concept is too subtle although correct.)

He did sound really strong, but also comfortable and willing to be candid. His answers were great.

[_dynamicdems]

12. I agree, I'd like to hear him shout from the top of a mountain...

"I did not vote FOR the WAR!" (You damn fools, can't you read? Let me read my statement to you.)

There is one other thing I wish he had said: that people die in wars and it is morally reprehensible to send people to die in battle for personal, political gain. While the Senator did make the statement that you don't go to war for political reasons but those kinds of decision are ones that you make with your conscience, I'd have liked to have heard a stronger condemnation of the reporter's suggestion that political considerations might have been a determining factor in his vote. This question irritated me and I would have liked to hear him a bit more forceful in his reply.

[karynnj]

14. I think his answer on it being a matter of conscience was perfect

The interviewer was a young woman (from both the picture and her voice.) Kerry's voice when he said it had an almost solemn fatherly tone to it at that point - he gets the point across while not attacking the interviewer. (and it dismisses the question as sommething he would never do.)

A more defensive, how dare you ask me this might have been both less convincing but far less likable and rude to this "nice" young lady.
I'm not sure the question wasn't helpful - on This week the Newsweek guy, Zakariah (sp?) and Gingritch said it was political - Newt called Kerry "sick" for making these decisions based on politics. She gave him a platform to answer that charge in a much easier setting.

[_dynamicdems]

15. Oh I didn't mean that he should sound defensive or go on the attack...

that is just how I felt about that question. As a supporter, I personally take umbrage at such questions.

No, it wouldn't have been good for Senator Kerry to have come off as hostile or defensive. That would have only succeeded in making him sound like Bush.

I'd have like to have heard him include (in the same fatherly tone) that any decision regarding war is a grave decision to have to make because it affects lives and people die in war, leaving unspoken, but reminding the listener of, the sharp contrast between himself and President Bush.

[karynnj]

16. Sorry, I guess I just inferred much of that from the tone

[_dynamicdems]

17. Yeah...I have tone issues sometimes.

[TayTay]

13. I liked the interview. Thanks for the alert on it.

I thought he did a good job.

He avoided The Trap very well. Senator Kerry's remarks indicate that he learned a lot from the last campaign and intends to work on building the infrastructure of the national Democratic Party and on building grassroots recruitment and involvement in individual states. The Trap consists of making Kerry state what exactly went wrong last year and getting him to admit that everything was his fault. (Senator Kerry, please navel gaze for us on why you lost last year, cuz it serves no purpose but we would like to do it anyway. Pretty please?) The Senator parried this by saying that he was not going to navel gaze on the radio cuz it served no purpose. (It's not about me, it's about building a national party. It's not about me, it's about building up the grassroots of the Dems. It's not about me. Really, it's not.)

I liked the Iraq explanation. I also liked his way out of talking about '08. (Cuz, it's not about me, it's about supporting good candidates and seeing if we can get through the '06 races and win. Then we can talk about '08, but it's too early and the focus needs to be elsewhere right now.) Nice interviewer, but he way outclassed her. (She sounded very young. Her questions were routine.)

[WildEyedLiberal]

18. Oh WOW his voice is different

It's very.... deep and commanding. Not that it usually isn't, but... I can't really describe it. He sounds like an action hero. I'm telling you: he IS Harrison Ford from Air Force One. There's an inner asskicker inside him that I find so masculine and delicious. :evilgrin:

[ginnyinWI]

21. I just heard it, too

It's so refreshing to hear someone speak with knowledge, conviction and authority. We need that kind of leadership in this country.

Have you caught any of the chimp's soundbites lately? I hear a frantic, desperate, craven little man who thinks if he just shouts louder...

[_dynamicdems]

22. Craven! That is the perfect word to describe the

little creep.

[kerrygoddess]

20. Here's the Media Player direct link

http://www.nhpr.org/audio/audio/fp-2005-11-07.wax