I checked conservative news/discussion site FreeRepublic early in the morning after Governor Palin's speech, and the threads were all "Palin this" and "Palin that," exuberant and grateful in tone.
Didn't get to watch McCain's whole speech last night, so I glance at FreeRepublic again this morning, and....
The threads were all "Palin this" and "Palin that." I may have seen one title with "McCain" in it.
I truly hope McCain's ego can take the impact that his choice of Sarah Palin will continue to have.
Friday, September 05, 2008
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6 comments:
So, do you think McCain regards Palin like a granddaughter?
McCain has slain his thousands and Palin her tens of thousands...
Kim, I... I've never thought of it.
Daryl, LOL.
Dan,
I have never liked John McCain. I opposed him in 2000 when he ran for the nomination. I opposed him this year as well.
When he won the nomination, the hope I had in the conservative base of the Republican party was quickly fading away. I began to seriously look at 3rd parties.
As the campaign moved along into the summer and Obama won the Democratic nomination, the importance of winning the election started to override voting against McCain in order to make a statement. So, I started to learn to like John McCain.
It was not easy.
I began to do some additional research on him. I knew McCain was a former POW, but I did not know the extent of his captivity. I read McCain's own words concerning his experience in an article he wrote over 30 years ago. It moved me.
As the choice for a VP drew closer, I was preparing myself for another bold move by McCain, one that would take the party more to the center. But to my pleasant surprise he chose a conservative, a solid conservative. The choice was brilliant.
My dislike for John McCain had not only started to fade away, but I was actually starting to like him. I guess you could say it was a new found respect.
I prepared for his acceptance speech last night by having low expectations. Not that he would do badly, but compared to Palin that he would not measure up to the excitement she generated. Afterall, speaking to large crowds from a podium is not his strength.
The majority of the speech was solid. It was typical McCain. However, in the last part he elevated himself and defined his leadership qualities.
He began to talk in detail about his experience in Vietnam. Telling us again about his POW experience had some risks. However, that experience changed his life and made him realize that life is more than just about him.
McCain says he was "blessed by misfortune." And that he was "beginning to learn the limits of my selfish independence."
He was beaten nearly to death and had to fully depend on others for his survival.
Near the end of his speech, McCain said, "I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God."
I don't always agree with John McCain. But I believe him, and I trust him.
The end of his speech was very climatic. The crowd was cheering as McCain called on us to fight with him.
Palin may very well be the new star of the Republican party, but this is still about John McCain. We need John McCain and he won't let us down.
McCain's selection of Palin securing the vote from conservatives allows McCain to be McCain (who doesn't really excite conservatives like me).
But McCain gets to be the "independent" and "maverick" that he is and get the independent vote he needs to get to win the election.
Like I said, it's a stroke of genius.
I hear you, Shannon.
I don't like McCain yet, however. I haven't heard The Speech. Plan to tonight. Mainly I was voting for him for being not-Obama, and pro-life, which is sufficient reason. Palin makes me feel a ton better about the ticket, and a fair bit better about him and his advisors — as does the way his campaign has been run for weeks now.
But I've disliked him and his arrogant, self-centered showboating for good reason for years, so it'll take a lot more to move me positively into the "like" column.
Every time he or his campaign uses the word "Maverick," it moves me away from the "Like" column.
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