Zell Miller Speech maybe too fiery for some Republicans

[DeSPURado]

Democrats said they were certain the senator had crossed the line and would hurt Bush, in much the same way that commentator Pat Buchanan's fiery 1992 convention speech frightened independent voters. Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards at a campaign rally called the speech "venom." Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) warned in an interview that " 'angry' doesn't sell well in my neck of the woods."

Privately, some senior Republicans agreed that red meat that tasted delicious in the convention hall did not look appetizing to independent voters watching on television. "Everyone read the speech in advance and approved it," said one prominent GOP lobbyist working closely with the Bush-Cheney campaign on the staging and message for the convention. The problem, he added, was that handlers did not account for the shouting voice or glowering stare with which the 72-year-old former Marine delivered his speech, or the short-tempered manner he displayed in interviews once the veracity of his charges began being challenged minutes after he left the podium. The scrutiny continued Thursday.

WPost

[DeSPURado]

McCain blasts Miller's Speech:

Sept. 3, 2004, 12:41AM

Miller's blast may not endear swing voters, McCain warns
Los Angeles Times


NEW YORK - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who has pushed for civility in this year's presidential race, is warning that the biting attack on Sen. John Kerry by a fellow Democrat at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night might harm President Bush's efforts to woo swing voters.

McCain said the keynote address by Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., could prove as controversial as a speech by Patrick J. Buchanan at the 1992 GOP convention in Houston.

"I think it backfires," McCain said of Miller's rhetorical assault on Kerry. He added that it "makes Buchanan's speech ... look milquetoast."

McCain made his comments to reporters at a party he hosted after the convention's Wednesday session ended.

HouChron

[Nbadan]

Have you seen that the Repubs have thrown Miller out like a used profilactic?

DNC PRESS RELEASE

New York City - Tonight, NBC reported that a senior Bush Campaign adviser had said that Zell Miller spoke not for the party but rather for himself when he delivered his growling keynote attack last night. Then it was reported that Zell Miller, who was previously on the list of guests sitting in the President's box during the Convention, was no longer on the list.

DNC Convention Response Team Spokesman Matt Bennett said in a statement:

"Hmmm. What a difference a day of witheringly bad reviews – and a challenge to a duel – can make." Bennett continued: "Is this a zig or a zag? Either way, the Republicans are fleeing from the storm caused by their keynote speaker."

Miller Spoke For Himself...
"Some Republicans thought Miller's remarks went too far. One senior Bush campaign aide today told NBC news, 'Senator Miller spoke on behalf of himself.'"


...Is Not Exactly the Same Message We Had Seen Before:

"I'm sure glad Zell Miller's on our side." - Cheney


'He will give them the message that it's perfectly acceptable and respectable to vote for Bush,' said Charles Black, a Republican strategist with close ties to the White House."



MAD AS ZELL: REPUBLICAN KEYNOTER ALREADY BEING SHUNNED

ZIG: Zell IN President’s Box During Convention
Initial List of Distinguished guests in the President and First Lady's box will include:

The Honorable Andrew Card and the Reverend Kathleene Card
The Honorable Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Senator Zell Miller and Mrs. Shirley Miller
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Mrs. Karyn Frist
U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert Mrs. Jean Hastert
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Governor George Pataki and Mrs. Libby Pataki
Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams
Michael W. Smith (musical performer for the evening) and Mrs. Debbie Smith
General Tommy Franks (U.S. Army, Ret.) and Mrs. Cathy Franks



ZAG: Zell OUT Of President’s Box

UPDATED: List of the President’s Distinguished Guests

The Honorable Andrew Card and the Reverend Kathleene Card
The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Mrs. Karyn Frist
U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert and Mrs. Jean Hastert
Governor George Pataki and Mrs. Libby Pataki
General Tommy Franks (U.S. Army, Ret.) and Mrs. Cathy Franks RNC Chairman Ed
Gillespie and Mrs. Cathy Gillespie, Bush-Cheney\'04 \"W Stands for Women\"
Coordinator Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams and Mrs. Donna Williams
Michael W. Smith (musical performer for the evening) and Mrs. Debbie Smith
Nancy Brinker, Former U.S. ambassador to Hungary and founder of the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation and Race for the Cure

[Tommy Duncan]

Ha. Miller was rather effective. The more the DNC wants to attack him and say he's not a Democrat the more that helps Bush.

[Ruby Ridge]

Miller's speech was effective for what it needed to be for the Repubs.

I think the belief now that there are so few true undecided that the strategy will be ensure that "your vote" gets out. Thus Miller's speech was red meat to energize the base.

McCain, Rudy, Arnold and W's speechs were meant not to scare off soft support and appeal to the undecided. Miller was to energize the base and if he seemed harsh, they could always shrug and say he's a Democrat.

[Tommy Duncan]

It was also an appeal to moderate/conservative minded Democrats who are uncomfortable with the party's direction as well as, perhaps, confirmation for those Democrats who are leaning or plan to vote for Bush already. If you look at the Democratic Party today, there aren't really too many politicians who come to mind as "Hawks." Come to think of it, not counting Georgia Democrats (Miller, Nunn with the latter being retired) there really doesn't seem to be anyone with that rep in the party.

[Yonivore]

Here's the elephant in the living room for the Demoncrats.

You have a prominent Democratic Senator that is breaking ranks, articulating his disgust with his own party's partisanship at a time of national crisis and you don't think there are voting Democrats that share his view?

[Hook Dem]

I would love to see you go face to face with Miller, Despurado. He would tear you a new asshole!

[Bandit2981]

LOL zell miller is all bark, even chris matthews would have tossed his ass to the side, don zimmer style

[Tommy Duncan]

Chris Matthews is a little pussy and certainly not the objective host he makes himself out to be.

[Bandit2981]

Chris Matthews is a little pussy and certainly not the objective host he makes himself out to be.

i could replace "chris matthews" with "bill o'reilly" and it would make even more sense

[Yonivore]

I agree, they're both pussies.

[Tommy Duncan]

You wish, bandit.

[Bandit2981]

o'reilly isnt biased? oooookay

[Tommy Duncan]

Not to the extent of Chrissy.

[SpursWoman]

Of course he is, that's why I like him.

[attyjackiechiles]

Zell's comments were nothing but an old bitter man upset that his political career never got him close to the oval office.
He's bitter, hateful and a total embarrasment to to the political process.