Senator McCain closed the convention with his acceptance speech. He outlined the road that took him from a naval aviator to a POW then to Congress and now to our nominee for President. Without bragging or self- aggrandizement, he demonstrated his commitment to serving our nation, a commitment of love of nation burnished and strengthened through his torture and confinement in Hanoi.
As a veteran, I understand the hardships and sacrifice of military service, but it is only in my imagination that I can appreciate what John McCain endured and overcame. This man’s life has been dedicated to service from his days at the Naval Academy until this very day. That is why he can say, “I have that record, and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.”
Along with his genuine commitment to public service, he, along with his running mate Governor Palin, an agent of change. Together they will provide a powerful force for change, bringing a new view to Washington on how to meet the challenges facing us.
He also reinforced his reputation as someone who works in a bi-partisan fashion to conduct the nation’s business. I believe that parts of his agenda will find critics on both sides, but it also will foster agreements on both sides.
John McCain is a known quantity; the American people do not need to ask -- Who is this man? He has a record of service and of accomplishments, and the scars to prove it.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Mayor Giuliani & Governor Palin Raise the Roof
America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, gave an outstanding speech complete with humor and some bite. It was clear that he was enjoying himself and the task before him. Giuliani challenged the American people to imagine that they are the employer looking at two applicants for a job “that involves the safety and security of your family.”
He described each as talented and patriotic Americans, but with different experiences. “On the one hand, you’ve got a man who has dedicated his life to the service of his country. He’s been tested time and again by crisis. He’s passed every test.” As for the other candidate, “You have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education. He worked as a community organizer and immersed himself in Chicago machine politics. Then he ran for the state legislature – where nearly 130 times he was unable to make a decision 'yes' or 'no.' He simply voted present.”
Giuliani went on to explain that as Mayor of New York, he could not vote 'present.' The same is true for Governor Palin, voting 'present' is not an option. Finally, the President of the United States cannot vote 'present.'
Giuliani also discussed the issue of change versus more of the same. As he noted, this is a false choice, “Because ‘change’ is not a destination, just as ‘hope’ is not a strategy.”
Governor Sarah Palin followed Mayor Giuliani. She spoke for some 40 minutes without a hitch, which I found quite noteworthy given that this was the most important speech of her life. Her poise under such conditions was extraordinary.
She introduced herself and her family to the American people – it is a genuine family that shares the everyday concerns of their fellow Americans. She also talked about her accomplishments in Alaska, a vast state that supplies almost one-fifth of the nation’s domestic oil production.
She explained to us that Alaska has even more to offer. As she noted, “Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems – as if we didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is not excuse to do nothing at all.”
Palin spoke of McCain’s experience and his commitment to service. She then offered a clear distinction. “In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”
Sarah Palin energized the audience with her insights and enthusiasm, and I know that I look forward to hearing more from her.
He described each as talented and patriotic Americans, but with different experiences. “On the one hand, you’ve got a man who has dedicated his life to the service of his country. He’s been tested time and again by crisis. He’s passed every test.” As for the other candidate, “You have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education. He worked as a community organizer and immersed himself in Chicago machine politics. Then he ran for the state legislature – where nearly 130 times he was unable to make a decision 'yes' or 'no.' He simply voted present.”
Giuliani went on to explain that as Mayor of New York, he could not vote 'present.' The same is true for Governor Palin, voting 'present' is not an option. Finally, the President of the United States cannot vote 'present.'
Giuliani also discussed the issue of change versus more of the same. As he noted, this is a false choice, “Because ‘change’ is not a destination, just as ‘hope’ is not a strategy.”
Governor Sarah Palin followed Mayor Giuliani. She spoke for some 40 minutes without a hitch, which I found quite noteworthy given that this was the most important speech of her life. Her poise under such conditions was extraordinary.
She introduced herself and her family to the American people – it is a genuine family that shares the everyday concerns of their fellow Americans. She also talked about her accomplishments in Alaska, a vast state that supplies almost one-fifth of the nation’s domestic oil production.
She explained to us that Alaska has even more to offer. As she noted, “Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems – as if we didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is not excuse to do nothing at all.”
Palin spoke of McCain’s experience and his commitment to service. She then offered a clear distinction. “In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”
Sarah Palin energized the audience with her insights and enthusiasm, and I know that I look forward to hearing more from her.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thompson and Lieberman Make Eloquent Cases for McCain
Last night, former Senator Fred Thompson provided a rousing character reference for Senator McCain, speaking of his commitment to duty and outlining his honorable service to our nation. Thompson also established the stark contrast in the experience and judgment of the two presidential candidates, and made the point that we can trust McCain with the Presidency.
Thompson touched upon McCain’s independence and willingness to make the tough decisions, and I thought about how Obama demurred when asked to to provide his view on when life starts. When asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama replied, “…it’s above my pay grade.” This is a man that shies away from the tough decisions, voting 'present' 129 times during his tenure in the State Senate. It makes it hard to determine where he really stands on the issues.
We also heard from Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who ran as the Democrat candidate for Vice President in 2000. He spoke of McCain’s success in the Senate and his ability to work across the aisle with members of the other party. Of Obama, Lieberman said, “Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record — not in these tough times.”
Thompson touched upon McCain’s independence and willingness to make the tough decisions, and I thought about how Obama demurred when asked to to provide his view on when life starts. When asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama replied, “…it’s above my pay grade.” This is a man that shies away from the tough decisions, voting 'present' 129 times during his tenure in the State Senate. It makes it hard to determine where he really stands on the issues.
We also heard from Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who ran as the Democrat candidate for Vice President in 2000. He spoke of McCain’s success in the Senate and his ability to work across the aisle with members of the other party. Of Obama, Lieberman said, “Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record — not in these tough times.”
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