Video: My speech to the Defending the American Dream Summit
posted at 10:12 am on October 5, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
So Hugh Hewitt and I are sitting backstage in the Green Room waiting for our turn to speak at the Defending the American Dream Summit after Newt Gingrich gave a rousing opening address to the general session on Saturday morning, and we figured that the pattern of speeches would favor us afterward. Not exactly. Senator Jim DeMint gave an energetic speech, and that was followed by Herman Cain, who blew the roof off of the place … just in time for Hugh and me to take the stage.
Steve from No Runny Eggs managed to grab video of my appearance, and while the video’s a little unclear, the audio’s good. Instead of hammering on ObamaCare, which I assumed most of the speakers would address, I focused on the need to overhaul the tax code system. It’s not anywhere near Herman Cain’s brilliant speech, which I will post when I can get it, but I had fun with it nonetheless. Hope you enjoy.
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Very nice. Now if only we could get Allahpundit out of the basement to do a speech somewhere….
mjk on October 5, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Are there any “Sarah Palin Sucks” rallies coming up?
Darksean on October 5, 2009 at 10:16 AM
He will send a proxy.
t.ferg on October 5, 2009 at 10:18 AM
It looks like Ed did not use a teleprompter, although I can’t be sure.
Maybe AllahPundit could speak at the New Majority conference in David Frum’s basement.
BigD on October 5, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Sorry about the poor quality; I don’t have a true videocam.
Seriously, you’re selling yourself short on how good your speech is.
steveegg on October 5, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Mmmm, I approve of your speaking voice.
SarahW on October 5, 2009 at 10:22 AM
In these dark times, all I can say is this: Screw ‘em.
Mr. Joe on October 5, 2009 at 10:23 AM
And what’s with all the gratuitous shots at AP?
steveegg on October 5, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Was Doctor Zero there too?
Lanceman on October 5, 2009 at 10:24 AM
One of my favorite Clancy moments – Executive Orders where they pile the tax code on a giant table in the congressional builing until the table breaks from the weight.
We need to recreate that for an ad just to hit home to folks how absurd our tax system is.
Laura in Maryland on October 5, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Dam# Captain,you look and sound almost …..Presidential.
Good job.
Baxter Greene on October 5, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Ed, great speech!
cubachi on October 5, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Great line, Ed. Excellent speech. I commend you for standing up and getting the word out on this subject.
ted c on October 5, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Good job Ed.
Guardian on October 5, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Ed – what the hell is wrong with you? There weren’t nearly enough “I” or “me” references in that speech to make it worthy of fawning press coverage…
/sarc
D2Boston on October 5, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Awesome Ed; simply awesome…
Keemo on October 5, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Well-done, Ed. And yes, that raaaaacist White Supremacist Herman Cain rocks!
Buy Danish on October 5, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I heard YouTube adds 50 lbs to the camera.
Just kiddin’
Jeff from WI on October 5, 2009 at 10:40 AM
You have a great speaking voice! Why is it our president is the only one who has to use a teleprompter? Great speech–and ted c stole what I was going to quote! Get outta my head, ted! :)
lovingmyUSA on October 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Dude, you can certainly speechify! And no teleprompter? Just notes? Smokin’ good job!
Gang-of-One on October 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Pretty good.
But I think you should have opened your remarks with”As we stand at the urinal of liberalism”…..
Lincoln Cadillac on October 5, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Has anyone every confront Rep. McCotter on this lame brained idea? I thought it was a joke.
Cindy Munford on October 5, 2009 at 10:48 AM
The two big killers of American prosperity are also the two places where corruption occurs most, through tax code and through campaign donations.
I would gladly vote for a flat tax, even if it cost me more.
ClanDerson on October 5, 2009 at 10:49 AM
The country will be a much better place when it gets to know Herman Cain.
TedInATL on October 5, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I was thinking he could use the Max Headroom strategy to give speeches.
WashJeff on October 5, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Me too.
Though, it would probably have to be an amendment, so that Congress didn’t immediately corrupt it.
Count to 10 on October 5, 2009 at 10:55 AM
You take that back! He sounded smart and reasoned without a bunch of Uhms and uhhs. And not a single comment made by Ed had an expiration date!
For the first time in my adult life, I’m proud of my captain. *sniff*
Morrissey/Malkin 2012
Laura in Maryland on October 5, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Ed, I always feel really dumb while listening to one of your speeches.
Too smart, too logical, too analytical – I end up having to listen twice, which does nothing for my intellectual confidence.
CarolynM on October 5, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Good speech Ed, even though I couldn’t make out the examples I got that they are ridiculous and meant to manipulate our behavior… So can I write off my dog now?
CCRWM on October 5, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Another fine speech, Ed, and thanks for sharing it with us.
One can only imagine how better it could’ve been if you’d used the words “I” and “me” two or three times in each paragraph, as do our president and first lady when they deliver important addresses.
(: ^ )
TXUS on October 5, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You’re a very good speaker, Ed.
Congratulations on six years blogging.
John on October 5, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Love your speech, love your articles.
beachgirlusa on October 5, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Good talk, Ed, but you’re right – very difficult to follow Herman Cain after he brings the house down as he did that day. I watched most of the session on C-SPAN (we get it over here in Asia only on weekends), and Cain was absolutely incredible. That man can pump an audience! I was hoping to find his speech online, it’s a classic. ‘How to Distinguish the Two Types of Liberals: Saveable vs. Unsaveable.” In three easy steps.
I hope you can get the video and get it posted, it’s not on YouTube so far.
Agam on October 5, 2009 at 1:09 PM
You gotta pay attention, Steve. Hot Air’s resident RINO is getting more popular everyday.
/s
Seriously, I think AP is living in an area that exposes him to the constant drone of liberal drivel. AP is no longer veering left, it is a full on turn.
TwinkietheKid on October 5, 2009 at 1:16 PM
I liked your talk, Ed.
The point I got from it is that Congress won’t ever change the tax code in any meaningful way, except to make it more complex, more bureaucratic, and more punitive.
I’m afraid that the only ways to simplify it in a meaningful way would be via a constitutional amendment or by voting every single member of Congress out and having the replacements enact the new law before they are corrupted by the power.
Good luck with that, I say.
BobOfTexas on October 5, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I was there Ed in with the biggest state group there, North Carolina!
Although I have to agree Herman Cain was a hard act to follow, you were terrific, as well.
It was an honor to see you and it’s an honor to be part of your family here at Hot Air. I always love your articles!
Thank you so much for being there for us at the conference and here daily.
I appreciate you.
TriciaNC on October 5, 2009 at 1:55 PM
This idea of picking winners and losers is one of the main reasons I am against the govt take over of health care. You are right Ed, congress is all too happy to pick winners and losers using the tax code. Does anyone seriously think they will not do the same thing when allocating health care resources? Too much scary power for these people who should not be trusted with such power.
painfulTruthDisciple on October 6, 2009 at 6:47 AM