The open thread is getting too crowded, but if there are complaints I can delete this diary. Here are my points on Kaine's address.
Here's the thing. Going in, Democrats knew that unless there's an extraordinary circumstance ("What will he say about the impeachment?" or "Will he declare war?"), the SOTU audience is mostly composed of partisans from the president's party. Check CNN's instant poll - 68% of people who watched Bush said the country is going in the right direction. Those people are Republicans.
So they knew this and looked for:
- A fresh face who hasn't been turned into Goldstein by Fox, Rush, all the stuff Republicans get their news from.
- Someone who could talk in Republican-friendly language - faith, responsibility, 9/11.
Kaine had those qualities, and he could talk about 9/11 a bit because part of it happened here in VA. (The Pentagon.) He led off his speech talking about being a Christian missionary - that might have intrigued some conservatives who were rolling their eyes. It was a subtle, smart choice, and instant reaction on the cable shows - even Fox - was positive. Fox viewers who love Bush got to see Fred Barnes praising this Democrat's speech.
That wouldn't have happened if the Dems went with Gore, Murtha, or anyone else some people were suggesting. Republicans would have shut it off or heard Fox et al bashing them for the next couple days, reinforcing their stereotypes.
I wouldn't say Kaine's speech was perfect (some bad timing reading the teleprompter), but I think it's going to have the right effect.