Having missed the speech, I have now had to read its transcript to get the context of Roger’s post.

All I can say is that I am reminded of Wilde’s comment regarding Dickens:

You would have to have a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without laughing.

Shouldn’t Howard have ended the speech by bringing out some little waif to say “God bless us every one”?

Oops. Democrats. No references to “God”. Never mind.