• February 16, 2012
LIBERAL PORN

Ted Kennedy Was Great That Time, When He Let Ronald Reagan Win

by Jim Newell

4:38 pm August 26, 2009

We have been trying to find a full clip of Ted Kennedy’s “concession” speech to Jimmy Carter at the 1980 Democratic convention, which is about as fine a political speech as you’re likely to hear, ever, and most famous for its “The Dream Will Never Die” ending, which is… just… MMMM. It was so incredible that it may have fractured the party for good that year and helped Ronald Reagan win, but hey, whatcha gonna do. Anyway, the Boston Globe has been waiting for Teddy to die for some time and today has posted a well produced, multi-part biography on the YouTubes. Here is the segment on his 1980 speech, the text of which can be found here. Finally: audio of the last seven or so minutes. [YouTube]

{ 16 comments }

Bearbloke August 26, 2009 at 4:44 pm

WE WANT TRUKNUTZ!! WE WANT TRUKNUTZ!! WE WANT TRUKNUTZ!!

Noonan August 26, 2009 at 4:48 pm

I miss the old days when the Convention actually meant something.

hobospacejunkie August 26, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Better even than “It’s morning in America again?” Don’t let Peggy Poonanners hear you say that.

Personally I am slightly more partial to Mario Cuomo & especially Jesse Jackson four years later, but by then I was no longer living in a Reagan household, nor was I a painfully naive 15-year-old.

SayItWithWookies August 26, 2009 at 4:53 pm

And the same Republicans who are invoking Franklin Roosevelt have nominated a man who said in 1976, and these are his exact words, “Fascism was really the basis of the New Deal.” And that nominee whose name is Ronald Reagan has no right to quote Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Le plus que ça change…

Oh, and I’d like to take a moment to reiterate my plea from earlier that we add some polite comments to Orrin Hatch’s tribute to Senator Kennedy that he support the healthcare reform bill.

nmmagayar August 26, 2009 at 4:56 pm

[re=395806]Bearbloke[/re]: and buttsecks

Extemporanus August 26, 2009 at 4:57 pm

[re=395806]Bearbloke[/re]: Are your BearNutz just for show?

After multiple unanswered entreaties to respond to my response to your violently scurrilous attack on my marginal name, I have hereby decided to revoke your duel citizenship.</b

Good day, sir!

The Cold Sea August 26, 2009 at 4:59 pm

Carter should have never debated Ray-gun so close to the election date. One debate and one debate only like a week away from the election? Carter had a lead. It went away. That’s not Teddward’s fault.

Neilist August 26, 2009 at 5:10 pm

His campaign “lacked a clear message”?

Heck, M.A.D.D. could have helped with that one.

Something like, “Don’t Try To Commit Adultry With A Campaign Staffer While Drunk.”

(Oh, and that speech? Not ONE mention of Benazir Bhutto. Not ONE.)

emmasue August 26, 2009 at 5:13 pm

oh geez I has some chills now

Hooray For Anything August 26, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Kennedy’s speech was written by Bob Shrum and was so good that countless of other Democrats went on to hire Shrum for their campaigns, thus ensuring that Kennedy’s speech ruined not only Carter’s campaign but Dukakis, Gore and Kerry’s too.

RoscoePColtraine August 26, 2009 at 5:24 pm

[re=395839]Neilist[/re]: But, getting drunk and committing adultery are two of our favorite pastimes. No, I rather doubt that message would’ve faired any better.

V572625694 August 26, 2009 at 5:45 pm

I don’t think you can blame Teddy for Carter’s loss. Blame the Ayatollah, and the failed Desert One rescue effort. Oh, and Ted Koppel, for his hostage-day-count on “Nightline.”

rocktonsammy August 26, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Living in the shadow of his brothers, wondering if there was a bullet with his name on it. He still manage to to lead the good fight and maintain the legacy of his brothers. A super star. Thanks Ted.

The governor needs to appoint asap.

Fox n Fiends August 26, 2009 at 6:09 pm

[re=395888]V572625694[/re]: Blame the stupid voters who let Ronald Chickenhawk Reagan commence the Conservative War on the Middle Class. The Godfather of Rampant Deficits set this country back 100 years. Fuck that fucking cunt Reagan.

Lionel Hutz Esq. August 26, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Oh sure, the Globe puts this up, but where is Kennedy’s sex tape?

trickyrick August 26, 2009 at 10:54 pm

[re=395911]Fox n Fiends[/re]: The perfect tribute to the grifter.

god speed Teddy.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: