McCain's Speech

Definitely not a guy who likes to stand in front of a huge crowd and try to say contrived things. People have to choose between substance and style in this election since the candidates seem to be polar opposites on that right now. What I did hear was how he came to believe in his "country first" mantra. I don't really know how to respond to the things he went through and the appreciation that a nation must extend for those sacrifices. Certainly he should not be "given" the Presidency for being a P.O.W., but what kind of perspective and experience does that give as a basis for making big decisions? I also don't really know how to feel about his reaching out to democrats and independants since no one has tried to do that for years. He definitely took the high road last night praising his opponents and the current administration for their service, effort, and willingness to take the public stage in defense of what they believe. The initial reaction from the left to the speech was "McCain is too partisan" which is a statement that certainly misses the mark. I heard praise and support for all Americans and very little party rhetoric or stumping. I think you can disagree with his issues, but not with his character and willingness to listen to all sides of an issue. The Presidential debates shoudl be phenomenal, pitting a green junior senator against a man who has seen it all. The VP debates should be equally intriguing pitting a complete conservative outsider against a career politician who has been sitting in the same office since I was two years old.

Bring it on!