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Friday, September 05, 2008
Thoughts on McCain's Speech
I watched the speech (link has both a link to the transcript and the video) last night with a group of conesrvative Republicans (or, at least, I'm pretty sure they were all Republicans)- a good group to observe to get a glimpse at what the base thinks. The response? Mostly positive. There was a lot of applause, and a few silent moments when they just bit their tongues instead of saying "uh, no". It was interesting to watch the speech with a group of people (instead of with just family)- it's an entirely different dynamic.
My thoughts? I still don't agree with a bunch of the junk Senator McCain has done (McCain/Feingold... McCain/Kennedy... the gang of 14... need I go on?). He and I have different definitions of "comprehensive immigration reform" (mine involves shipping them all out of the country and sealing the borders to all except legal immigrants... I'm kooky that way).
All that being said, it wasn't bad. I'm not usually a fan of his speaking style (when using teleprompters- he's awesome at extemp speech, which is why Obama is in trouble during the debates), and he delivered better than I expected. I cringed when I heard him going into the story of his time in Vietnam (I fear that the campaign is relying on his POW/hero creds and not on what he's done since then), but, hearing it in his words for the first time was very moving. He was gracious to his opponent (which is more than we can say for his opponent), and we was more passionate than I expected. He didn't hit the sensitive topics, which was for the best in his acceptance speech- that's why they hit the campaign trail.
I'm still not a huge McCain fan, and I can't forget my objections to him, but I'm more willing to listen now. I'd prefer a more conservative candidate... Fred! comes to mind... but, after looking at the 3rd party candidates, there isn't one out there that isn't a kook. So I'm listening... sell me on your campaign, Senator... you now have an audience.
The speech was interrupted by a Code Pink "lady" and some anti-war types. I hate to admit it (well, I do find it humorously ironic, but I don't like giving them any credit at all), but the Code Pinkos and the IVAW morons helped the speech, and the campaign in general. They showed what kind of freaks are supporting the opposition, and it gave Senator McCain a chance to give a good one liner about how we should not be distracted by the static and ground noise. Thanks for that, gang.
I did like the ending of the speech. It was powerful and motivating. Here it is:
Here is a round-up of what other people are saying about Senator McCain's speech (language alert on some of them):
My thoughts? I still don't agree with a bunch of the junk Senator McCain has done (McCain/Feingold... McCain/Kennedy... the gang of 14... need I go on?). He and I have different definitions of "comprehensive immigration reform" (mine involves shipping them all out of the country and sealing the borders to all except legal immigrants... I'm kooky that way).
All that being said, it wasn't bad. I'm not usually a fan of his speaking style (when using teleprompters- he's awesome at extemp speech, which is why Obama is in trouble during the debates), and he delivered better than I expected. I cringed when I heard him going into the story of his time in Vietnam (I fear that the campaign is relying on his POW/hero creds and not on what he's done since then), but, hearing it in his words for the first time was very moving. He was gracious to his opponent (which is more than we can say for his opponent), and we was more passionate than I expected. He didn't hit the sensitive topics, which was for the best in his acceptance speech- that's why they hit the campaign trail.
I'm still not a huge McCain fan, and I can't forget my objections to him, but I'm more willing to listen now. I'd prefer a more conservative candidate... Fred! comes to mind... but, after looking at the 3rd party candidates, there isn't one out there that isn't a kook. So I'm listening... sell me on your campaign, Senator... you now have an audience.
The speech was interrupted by a Code Pink "lady" and some anti-war types. I hate to admit it (well, I do find it humorously ironic, but I don't like giving them any credit at all), but the Code Pinkos and the IVAW morons helped the speech, and the campaign in general. They showed what kind of freaks are supporting the opposition, and it gave Senator McCain a chance to give a good one liner about how we should not be distracted by the static and ground noise. Thanks for that, gang.
I did like the ending of the speech. It was powerful and motivating. Here it is:
I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.Did the speech motivate the base? Probably, but not as much as the selection of Governor Palin as his VP. Did the speech attract independents and maybe a few Democrats? Possibly, and definitely more so than Governor Palin's speech (which was great for the base, but many independents found it harsh... oh, well... reality is harsh sometimes).
Fight for what’s right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children’s future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.
Thank you, and God Bless you.
Here is a round-up of what other people are saying about Senator McCain's speech (language alert on some of them):
- Here's Ed's take on it.
- Up next, we have Powerline's post.
- Ace's place has some interesting takes and comments.
- Gus has a good campaign poster.
- This link has some "insight" from the media. Not that bad, actually.
- Here's what the Ladies of the Cotillion have to say.
- Check out this video of Andrea Mitchell on the convention floor. No, it has nothing to do with the speech, really... it's just... beautiful.
You have to imagine that at least a few of those people were pushing balloons at her on purpose, right? I mean... I know I would, if given the chance. - Denny analyzes the entire evening.
- Oprah doesn't want to have Governor Palin on her show. Duh. Well... at least she doesn't claim to be a journalist. UPDATE: Oprah responds.
- The Wilson sisters are evidently Democrats. Bummer... that would have been a great song, and they would have made some money on the deal. Their loss.
- Here's the campaign plane.
- You stay unbiased, MSNBC. Yeah... really unbiased.
- Here's Michael Williams' speech from the other night.
- Those Code Pink "ladies" that interrupted Governor Palin's speech weren't given their passes- they stole Annie Eckrich's identity!
- I really need to read more Treacher.
- There's always room for another rockstar in this election, right?
- Fausta has the story of some PUMAs for Palin.
- Our future alien overlord puts in his $.02 about Governor Palin.