DNC observations

I watched DNC and Teresa's speech last night.  I don’t have cable (cause I’m a cheap bastard), so I can’t get the full coverage of the DNC.  Thank goodness for PBS for showing the convention (and showing DCI during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  You Rock PBS!).  Yes, it’s sad when a rerun of law and order (it’s on about 12 times a day on 8 different channel at least) is more important than to show information that may help people better elect a president.  I hope they put reruns of Fear factor during the RNC.  Greedy money bastards.  Anywhoo…  

For those of you who have no idea we're having an election (you know who you are), Teresa is Kerry's (running for president against Bush) wife. 

Although not as charismatic or fired up as Barack Obama who spoke before her, Teresa spoke her mind and conveyed a strong and confident tone in her voice.   She was poised and relayed topics that have been long forgotten in the present administration.  Besides all the great messages she spoke of during her speech (won't go in detail here, read link for transcript), one thing really stood out to me about Teresa that is rarely seen in other first ladies. 

For so long, we have seen many wives of public figures in the backdrop, especially in the case of the first ladies.  Used as ornaments or in a supporting role standing behind their husbands.  In the last four years, this was the role, as many before her, of the current first lady.   

During her speech, Teresa spoke of family, her late husband, and of John Kerry.   
It was all nice, but what was clear during Teresa’s speech was that she had opinions, not just those of John, but her own that she was concerned with.  She made it clear last night that she was not going to be one that would only stand behind her husband and support him, but that she would stand beside him, not as supporter, or merely a backer, but as an equal.    

I really admire that.  I know what some of you are thinking, we're not voting for the first ladies.  The thing is.  You are.  No matter what, they're there, along with the president.  It's a combo pack.  The reason the first ladies haven't had more influence and have done more is because that's the way things have always been.  The ways things have always been isn't always right.  

How any women out there could not vote for a strong opinionated woman who wants to protect and support your rights, there’s something wrong with you. 

As Quoted from last night’s speech “And my only hope is that one day soon, My only hope is that, one day soon, women, who have all earned their right to their opinions...  instead of being labeled opinionated will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. “

I would LOVE to see a Teresa vs. Laura debate.  I’d pay to see that. Even being the cheap bastard that I am.