He started by answering a question that some media (ie: MSNBC) keeps asking, namely, why does McCain repeatedly talk about his Viet Nam War experience and POW experience so much? Keith Olberman on MSNBC compared McCain to a bothersome neighbor who brags about his Italian vacation too much. Tonight, McCain told us, in very direct terms, that his POW experience was a crucible that reforged his strength and military service into an intense amalgamation of patriotism and character. He wanted us to know the details because they tell us why he fights so tenaciously for what he finds to be right, just, and in the best defense of American interests.
His maverick "Country First" reputation and his willingness to challenge his own Party flows directly from this crucible experience and McCain just wanted us to know where it came from.
Later in his speech Senator McCain told us about his commitment to bipartisanship and achieving real reform by reaching across the aisle. His very real consideration of Joe Lieberman as his Vice Presidential pick provides some evidence of this just as the tip of an iceberg hints at the mass below. I cannot ever recall either a Democratic or Republican Presidential nominee telling a convention assembly of his Party's national leaders that he reserves the right to oppose them and their initiatives IF he finds that the best interests of America are not being served. As you could imagine, this received a restrained applause from the Floor, but probably received hearty cheers in millions of American living rooms where folks are sick of partisan rancor.
Vintage McCain.
He wrapped up his speech with a rapid fire Churchillian call for renewed patriotism and service.
And then the Floor went nuts.
Randy Minchew
Virginia Delegation
2008 Republican National Convention
4 comments:
Randy,
Great job on the reporting. Get home safe.
Bob
Randy, Thanks for doing such a great job on these reports. Nancy and I, and I am sure many others, have waited with great anticipation for each, and have read and appreciated every one.
Jim
Dear Mr. Minchew,
Please keep this commentary going and do not sign off now as you come back from the Republican National Convention.
I agree with Mr. Lazaro and Mr. Haynes.
The LCRC should keep this site going.
Thank you for your writing and thank you for what you do for Young Life.
Randy,
Thanks for the reports. Did you find it odd that there was little mention of the previous Bush/Cheney administration? The message from "more of the same McCain" and Palin was that they are not members of the party that is in office right now - the Republican party. It was an odd show. And their speeches contained a gaping and glaring omission.
Could this be why you stated "I cannot ever recall either a Democratic or Republican Presidential nominee telling a convention assembly of his Party's national leaders that he reserves the right to oppose them and their initiatives IF he finds that the best interests of America are not being served. I believe that McCain was distancing himself from his own party. Don't you agree?
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