Kerry Speaks

We're only a few minutes from Speech Time. Let's hear what the big guy has to say for himself—and keep a running tally of applause points. Updates to follow …

Applause point 1: "I'm John Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty."

Applause point 2: "America will be stronger at home, and respected abroad."

Applause point 3: "I am home."

Applause point 4: "Thank you for a welcome home I'll never forget."

Applause point 5: "I'm not kidding. I was born in the West Wing."

Applause point 6: "We must continue the march to equality for all women."

Applause point 7: "I am determined to restore pride to all who look to America."

Applause point 8: "We believed we could change the world, and we did."

Applause point 9: "Tell the truth to the American people."

Applause point 10: "I will restore trust and credibility to the White House."

Applause point 11: "I worked … to make peace in Vietnam."

Applause point 12: "I will never lead our country to war in error."

Applause point 13: "I will not hold secret meetings with polluters."

Applause point 14: "I will appoint an attorney general who will uphold the Constitution of the United States."

Applause point 15: "There is nothing more pessimistic than saying America can't do better."

Applause point 16: "We just need to believe in ourselves and we can do it again."

Applause point 17: "I accept you nomination as President of the United States."

Applause point 18: "Senator John Edwards and his wife …"

Applause point 19: "This son of a mill worker is ready to succeed Dick Cheney as vice-president of the United States."

Applause point 20: "What can I say about Teresa?"

Applause point 21: "America will embrace her as the next First Lady of the United States."

Applause point 22: "Max Cleland."

Applause point 23: "We still know how to fight for our country."

Applause point 24: [Thanks ex-candidates for unity]

Applause point 25: "[September 11] was the worst day that we've ever seen, but it brought out the best in us."

Applause point 26: "There were no Democrats, there were no Republicans, there were only Americans. And how we wish it had stayed that way."

Applause point 27: "Proclaiming 'Mission Accomplished' doesn't make it so."

Applause point 28: "We will only go to war if we have to."

Applause point 29: "This is the only justification."

Applause point 30: "I will send a message to our troops: 'You will never be asked to fight a war without a plan to win the peace.'"

Applause point 31: "I defended this country as a young man, and I will defend it as President."

Applause point 32: "We will end the backdoor draft of the National Guard and reservists."

Applause point 33: "To all who serve in the armed forces, I say: 'Help is on the way.'"

Applause point 34: "The future doesn't belong to fear; it belongs to freedom."

Applause point 35: "We shouldn't be opening [unclear; Snickers bars?] in Baghdad and closing them in America."

Applause point 36: "The heart and soul of patriotism …"

Applause point 37: "That flag doesn't belong to any President or party. It belongs to all the American people."

Applause point 38: "It's time for people who talk about family values to start valuing families."

Applause point 39: "I will not privatize social security."

Applause point 40: "Pensioners won't have to cut tablets in half."

Applause point 41: "Help is on the way."

Applause point 42: "We won't reward companies that ship jobs overseas."

Applause point 43: "The good old USA."

Applause point 44: "There's nobody in the world an American worker can't compete with."

Applause point 45: "We won't raise taxes on the middle classes."

Applause point 46: "I will roll back the tax cuts for the wealthiest."

Applause point 47: "A real start for the lives of our children."

Applause point 48: "Lower drug prices for seniors."

Applause point 49: "Health care is a right for all Americans, and we will make it so."

Applause point 50: "I want an America that relies on ingenuity, not on the Saudi royal family."

Applause point 51: "Go to johnkerry.com."

Applause point 52: "The most precious document in American history: the Constitution of the United States."

Applause point 53: "I see us as one America, red, white and blue."

Applause point 54: "We are on God's side."

Applause point 55: "What if we have a President who believes in science?"

Applause point 56: "Our best days are still to come."

That's an applause-point ratio of better than one per minute over the course of Kerry's entire speech. Heavy perspiration commenced around applause point 32.