# Does Teresa Heinz Kerry speak English? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510 "2004-07-11T02:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Daisy\_Mae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/61 "2004-07-11T20:07:39Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > To do him justice, it’s worth noting that Mexican Spanish is highly dialectal (actually, several different dialects) and he could have been aware of that, having been Governor of a neighboring state with a fair-sized population of Mexican-Americans. I have a hunch that’s not correct, but fairness suggests giving the man a break occasionally, and assuming the best, when it’s not a matter of rights or such. I realize you’re just trying to be fair, but I live where there is a fair-sized population of Mexican-Americans and I have never, ever heard one of them refer to this language as Mexican. I work in a county hospital and I meet many people who ask for an interpreter who speaks Spanish, never Mexican. I do admire your penchant for fairness though. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/62 "2004-07-11T20:23:52Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] ¿Como se dice en español “nuclear”? [QUOTE] “Nucular” ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/63 "2004-07-11T20:47:50Z")
> [@milroyj](#): > > It was a lame crack, is all. Not really sure why everyone is so up in arms about it. And I have to agree with **Starving Artist**. Two mods and an admin have posted to this thread, with barely a passing comment on: > > “_Does rictus-grinning, stick-up-her-ass, stepford-wife Laura Bush_” > > but a French joke makes me a contemptible asshole? Huh? Nice try, **milroyj** , but that’s blatant weaselling. For one thing, I specifically wrote as a poster, not a mod. For another, you are ignoring the fact that my rather extended rant \* explictly defended Laura Bush\* against the insult. I’m becoming increasingly disgusted with selective reading that ignores anything that doesn’t support a determined desire for a monolithic “liberal bias” here. You may be as unfair as you like, **milroyj** , but I’ll be damned if I passively stand by while you accuse me, even indirectly, of equal unfairness. Ignoring anything that doesn’t support assertions of persecution–“See? All those liberals are doing it again!”–doesn’t make you or anyone else a martyr. That’s contemptible too, not the least because it’s simply untrue and just adds more nastiness to an already volatile atmosphere. Veb Thanks for the kind words, Poly. It’s comforting to know at least some folks are still willing to cut other people slack, regardless of political leanings, even First Ladies. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/64 "2004-07-11T21:02:11Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > Wait… What? So you posted an answer to what you **thought** was a GQ thread and then deleted your post because the thread had been “moved” to the pit? “Factual response[s]” aren’t suitable for the pit, or what? But then you posted it anyway? > > Sorry, I don’t get it. Of course factual responses are allowed. But, as **dantheman** said, it might be a newbie mistake. 🙂 I live in terror of doing something wrong. [sub]soto voce: Before you decide to gang up on me, I’m growing more confident every day. I’ve posted a sign on my ‘fridge’ --“free manny.” So, take heed. :eek: [/sub] While the Superman outfit gives me added confidence, I’m human, as are all mod/admins. (Well, except Lynn :eek: ) I posted a comment which I thought was in GQ. When it showed up in the Pit, I freaked. So I deleted it. I was confused as to whether another mod had already moved the thread(which WASN’T the case). Then, knowing that people would wonder WHY I deleted my post, I posted it. Does that make sense? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/65 "2004-07-11T21:05:32Z")
> [@Veb](#): > > I’m becoming increasingly disgusted with selective reading that ignores anything that doesn’t support a determined desire for a monolithic “liberal bias” here. Amen and amen. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/66 "2004-07-11T21:10:08Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Of course factual responses are allowed. But, as **dantheman** said, it might be a newbie mistake. 🙂 sam, I think we would have been less confused if you’d said you had deleted the post mistakenly. It kind of sounded as if you’d posted it in here thinking it was in GQ, then after finding out otherwise, you deleted the comment because of its factual content. Which implies, at least to me, that factual answers are verboten in this forum. Which, as far as I know, has never been the case. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/67 "2004-07-11T21:17:36Z")
Here are two [video](http://www.johnkerry.com/videos/)[clips](http://cbs2.com/politics/politicsnational_story_167214528.html) of Teresa Kerry. In the second clip, she is shown speaking to a group of pre-schoolers. Not to malign your intelligence, **Brandus** , but the kids appear to understand her perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/68 "2004-07-11T21:55:08Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Does that make sense? :sigh: _Fine_. Just don’t let it happen again. 😉 Thanks for coming back in and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/69 "2004-07-11T21:57:14Z")
> [@dantheman](#): > > sam, I think we would have been less confused if you’d said you had deleted the post mistakenly. It kind of sounded as if you’d posted it in here thinking it was in GQ, then after finding out otherwise, you deleted the comment because of its factual content. Which implies, at least to me, that factual answers are verboten in this forum. Which, as far as I know, has never been the case. Factual answers are welcome in every forum. SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP! LACK of factual answers is an ongoing problem. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/70 "2004-07-11T21:57:33Z")
I guess I might get flamed for this, but after listening to parts of those clips, I have to admit that I find her accent quite unpleasant for some reason. Of course, this makes no difference, Kerry still has my vote. I care about issues, not 1st wives and/or their speaking voices. But I’d be lying if said her accent sounded pleasing to my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/71 "2004-07-11T22:18:04Z")
Listening the clips, she does _sound_ to me like someone still not quite used to a language. But perfectly clear, communicating and coherant. I don’t see the need to attack her because of that. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/72 "2004-07-11T22:27:40Z")
> [@Shade](#): > > Listening the clips, she does _sound_ to me like someone still not quite used to a language. But perfectly clear, communicating and coherant. I don’t see the need to attack her because of that. Where there doesn´t need to be a rational reason, the tactic, it seems, is to fling as much slime to the opposite side in hopes that something sticks; and if you can include stereotypical xenophobic slurs at the same time, all the better. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/73 "2004-07-11T23:19:39Z")
Since my post was quoted several times in this thread, I thought I would clear up my intent. My frustration is with those who think that a woman who is educated, independent, and wealthy is somehow lesser than one who is not, and is somehow suspect because she isn’t playing the little homemaker role. The bile directed even today at Eleanor Roosevelt is beyond my comprehension. The vilification of Hillary Clinton goes on as we speak. While some of this is directed at the politics of these women, it largely seems to be directed at their “uppitiness”; for having the gall to represent themselves as thinking individuals rather than as accessories; and for having the timerity to refuse to be chattel. Laura Bush is NOT representative of the thinking women that I know. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/74 "2004-07-12T00:01:17Z")
[QUOTE=CrazyCatLady] [QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] ¿Como se dice en español “nuclear”? > [@](#): > > “Nucular” Same difference! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brandus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Brandus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brandus)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/75 "2004-07-12T00:13:57Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > Here are two [video](http://www.johnkerry.com/videos/)[clips](http://cbs2.com/politics/politicsnational_story_167214528.html) of Teresa Kerry. In the second clip, she is shown speaking to a group of pre-schoolers. Not to malign your intelligence, **Brandus** , but the kids appear to understand her perfectly. Preschoolers tend to nod in agreement with important people no matter what they’re saying. Did you watch her on Larry King? I was aghast at how much she was struggling. There is a transcript of it [here](http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/10/lkl.00.html). He asks her about John Edwards > [@](#): > > KING: What did you think? > > KERRY: It’s that simple. > > HEINZ KERRY: I like John. I like John. I’ve even voted for John in Pennsylvania when he ran the last time. \*\*She may spend the next 4 years in constant contact with him, and all she has to say is “I like him”? \*\* :smack: > > KING: You were a Republican, then. > > HEINZ KERRY: Yes, I voted for John McCain. > > KING: Would you have supported a Kerry/McCain ticket? > > HEINZ KERRY: I think one can say yes or no… > > KING: Well, you would have supported it, naturally. > > HEINZ KERRY: Well, if he’d chosen him, for sure. But the considerations that go – that at least that John went through to get to that point were vast, and we didn’t look at those… 😕 \*\*If I didn’t have this to read over a few times, I would have no idea what she’s talking about. \*\* > [@](#): > > KING: Are you also Catholic? > > HEINZ KERRY: Yes, absolutely. Nuns, convents, from five to 18. **Did she stop being a catholic at age 18?** > [@](#): > > KING: Teresa, do you think his book will have an effect on the campaign, the Clinton book? > > HEINZ KERRY: I haven’t read it yet. It’s so long, and I haven’t got the time right now. But I think it’s a very personal tale. It’s about his life, and… **She hasn’t read it, but she insightfully adds that it’s a very personal tale, and that his autobiography, entitled “MY LIFE” is “about his life”** 😃 > > KING: What effect do you think it might or might not have on a campaign. > > HEINZ KERRY: I just don’t know how many people out there are going to read it. I think the people that will buy it to read it already know what they think, and they’re already interested in either just them or politics. The other people, I don’t know. He’s a very charming man. 😕 > > KERRY: She’s smart, isn’t she? > > HEINZ KERRY: That’s true, I don’t know. :dubious: Picture her saying all this in a choppy, wandering tone and you would reach the same conclusion I did. She may speak 5 languages but obviously english is not her best one. I am concerned that this may be a liability to Kerry. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/76 "2004-07-12T00:23:28Z")
> [@Brandus](#): > > From watching Larry King, Theresa seems like she can barely speak english. Is english her second language? I’ll concede that she was probably incredibly nervous, but can She be first Lady? Can a billionaire, camera-shy, non-fluent-in-english woman really represent the women of America? From years of gaffes, Bush seems like he can barely think in English (or any other language). Why is he called ‘Dubya’ - can’t he pronounce W properly? I’ll concede that he is good reading a speech and looking folksy on TV, but can he really be President? Can a billionaire-wannabe (Halliburton! Bechsel!), who relies on scripted speeches, with a complete lack of understanding of the World, really represent the great nation of America? ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/77 "2004-07-12T00:29:44Z")
I saw her on 60 minutes today and she seemed articulate enough; I didn’t have any trouble understanding her. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/78 "2004-07-12T00:33:05Z")
Not speaking perfect English certainly didn’t stop George, nor did it stop Arnold, from being ELECTED. Is Mrs. Heinz running for anything? ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/79 "2004-07-12T00:55:45Z")
> [@TVeblen](#): > > For another, you are ignoring the fact that my rather extended rant \* explictly defended Laura Bush\* against the insult. Yes, you did defend her. You still didn’t criticize the poster making the “stick up the ass, Stepford wife” comment, though. Why not? > [@](#): > > I’m becoming increasingly disgusted with selective reading that ignores anything that doesn’t support a determined desire for a monolithic “liberal bias” here. Are you seriously arguing that there’s NOT a liberal bias here? On the part of both the posters, and the mods? Seems to me, the few conservative mods have been relieved of their duties (for whatever reasons). Unless you count **Dex** , but he doesn’t post very often in the threads that I read. And never mind all the conservative posters that have been run off, or outright banned, on this board. And I have a shiny new quarter for the first poster who says that the SDMB attracts liberals/Democrats because they are naturallly smarter. My guess is either **elucidator** or **rjung**. :rolleyes: I agree that there’s plenty of nastiness in an already volatile atmosphere, but mods and admins calling people contemptible assholes only adds to it. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2004, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510/80 "2004-07-12T01:04:54Z")
**Brandus** –isn’t that quote from when they’re talking about McCain, not Edwards? I didn’t see or hear the interview, but I noticed there were times in which she seemed incredibly articulate. For example, this exchange: > [@](#): > > KERRY: Her input is important on everything. First of all, she’s smart as a whip. Secondly, she’s got as much common sense and is sort of as grounded as anybody that I’ve ever met. So, I value that input – beyond just husband/wife, I value it. > > But let me emphasize this, because people always make a big deal out of it. Neither of us want to – not as a policy. It’s not a policy adviser kind of thing. It’s a partner. It’s something – it’s a special kind of trust that exists between a husband and a wife. And – she doesn’t want to be a policy adviser. She wants to be my wife, and that’s what… > > KING: What happens when you disagree? > > HEINZ KERRY: Actually, it’s interesting, because if you’re not terribly prescriptive or didactic on things and you’re really curious, then you have great conversations. > > KING: I’ll bet. > > HEINZ KERRY: And so, you might start up disagreeing with something and then seeing another point of view that’s quite interesting. And I mean, I think that’s how compromising good governments happen is when people come from different points, finally find a solution that works. > > I think a man and a woman, on a whole array of issues, including raising children, have differences, and then you work them through. So, it’s interesting. It’s a learning experience. or, > [@](#): > > HEINZ KERRY: Not at all. You know, I am always who I am, and anyone who’s known me forever will tell you that. I guess there’s enough of a child in me that that’s important. And also, I am the product of living in dictatorships. And someone who’s lived in dictatorships and not being allowed to be themselves, it cherishes the ability to be yourself and to have feelings and to speak them when asked. And I am that person. > > My late husband, for anyone who knew him, was a very Socratic person. He loved discussion. He loved to solve problems. He loved chess. He loved bridge. He loved to always get better. And he, kindly enough, to even introduce me to John the year before he was killed. They both were speaking in the same place on Earth Day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-teresa-heinz-kerry-speak-english/254510.md?page=5)