Not very long ago in 2004, Senator John Kerry was the nominee for president at this own Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts -- his adopted state. On Thursday evening in Charlotte, North Carolina, however, he spoke on behalf of President Barack Obama, who he claims "kept his promises" to end the war in Iraq, end the war in Afghanistan, stand with Israel and what's more, "focus like a laser on al-Qaeda." It was this laser-focus that, according to Kerry, made sure that Osama bin Laden is not better off now than he was four years ago.
Delivering the zinger of the evening, the Massachusetts senator stated that even "against the advice of many to give that order to finally rid this earth of Osama bin Laden," Obama's diligence prevailed.
"Ask Osama bin Laden if he is better off now than he was four years ago," Kerry exclaimed to a resounding round of applause.
The ever-outspoken Kerry delved into an array of topics including the kind of American exceptionalism that broke out of the Great Depression, won two world wars, saved lives fighting AIDS, pulled people out of poverty, went to the moon and "produce exceptional people who even give their lives for civil rights and human rights." It is this exceptional country, according to the Massachusetts senator, that Republicans oppose.
"An exceptional nation demands the leadership of an exceptional president," Kerry exclaimed before explaining the "disarray and disaster he inherited."
"It took President Obama to make America lead like America again."
Kerry spoke about restoring "moral authority" as manifest in banning "torture" and said Obama —and even went so far as to invoke Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who he claims stated that the U.S. and Israel have "exactly the same policy" and that the two nations' security cooperation "is unprecedented."
"When it comes to Israel, I'll take the word of Israel's prime minister over Mitt Romney any day," Kerry said. Odd, considering the growing tension that has expanded -- seemingly by the day -- between the two world leaders based squarely upon the perception that President Obama does not, in fact have Israel's "back."
Nonetheless, Kerry pressed on, lauding Obama's promise to work with Russia "to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons," lock down nuclear materials around the world and liberate the people of Libya from Moammar Gadhafi's iron fist.
ABC provides a video clip of the speech:
The former Democratic presidential candidate then asserted that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the "most inexperienced foreign policy twosome to run for president and vice president in decades."
Poking fun at what he painted as Romney's flip-flops on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kerry offered the following advice: "Before you [Romney] debate Barack Obama on foreign policy, you better finish the debate with yourself!
Kerry then continued to focus on discrediting the president's rival -- typically not the role the nominee would assume him or herself -- saying that "Republican secretaries of state from Kissinger to Baker, Powell to Rice, President Bush, and 71 United States senators all supported President Obama's New Start treaty."
"But not Mitt Romney. He's even blurted out the preposterous notion that Russia is our "number one geopolitical foe." Folks: Sarah Palin said she could see Russia fromAlaska; Mitt Romney talks like he's only seen Russia by watching Rocky IV."
The controversial Vietnam veteran reverted to talking about wars and our troops abroad, lauding Obama's role as a commander-in-chief. Kerry said the president "gives our troops the tools and training they need in war, the honor and help they've earned when they come home; a man who will never ask other men and women to fight a war without a plan to win the peace."
"Some of us from a prior war remember coming home was not always easy. President Obama has made it his mission that we welcome our troops home with care, and concern, and the respect they deserve. That is how an exceptional nation says 'thank you' to its most exceptional men and women."
He concluded by calling Obama an "exceptional American as president."
