Although Democrats are ecstatic about their just concluded convention in North Carolina, last night's closer did not reach the highs of the previous two evenings.
For this reporter's taste, the highlight was actually John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for president whose ambition to be named Barack Obama's Secretary of State four years ago was thwarted when Hillary Clinton was picked for the gig.
Kerry still aspires for that position, and last night gave a blistering take-down of Mitt Romney's rather weak attacks on President Obama regarding foreign policy, where for the first time in my lifetime, the Democrat has the edge. That's because in many ways Obama has continued the policies of the Bush administration in the war on terror, or eclipsed them when it comes to drone attacks overseas.
Romney has flailed about in trying to find a place where he can hit Obama on, and while there is room for attacks, the GOP nominee has appeared off-kilter with his call that Russia remains our greatest foreign obstacle.
Kerry delivered some classic lines last night, none getting bigger applause than when he said "Ask Osama bin Laden if he is better off now than he was four years ago." There was also some rich irony when he blasted Romney for shifting position on the Libyan war.
“Talk about being for it before you were against it,” Mr. Kerry said. “Mr. Romney—here’s a little advice: Before you debate Barack Obama on foreign policy, you better finish the debate with yourself.”
Meanwhile, some analysts said that after Bill Clinton's lauded speech on Wednesday, Barack Obama might have been overshadowed with his speech on Thursday night. He was.
Obama will be in Pinellas County Saturday morning for a campaign event.
Meanwhile, were a week out from what happened in Tampa last week. In a story that didn't make our print edition this week, here's our final take on the week that was.
At the Tampa City Council meeting yesterday, the interesting if somewhat controversial EB-5 investment program was thoroughly discussed.
And the NFL is back! And so are blackouts for Tampa Bay Buc fans. That's despite the fact tickets are reduced and the team didn't even have to sell-out to get the game on television. Not a great way to start the 2012 campaign this Sunday.
This article appears in Sep 6-12, 2012.