McCain Rallies His Troops for the Battle Ahead
He did what he had to do — speak from the heart and give the GOP a fighting chance.
The left has complained bitterly in the past that McCain has used his POW status as a shield at times. This is as true as Obama having used his race the same way. But last night’s emotional revelations about McCain’s captivity served a very useful purpose; it answered the fundamental question all voters have of presidential candidates: why? What makes you think you’re better than the other fellow? Why should I vote for you?
It is, in my mind, the best answer to those questions I have heard from any candidate I have ever covered.
His peroration was a call to battle and had the crowd in a genuine frenzy:
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.
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.
It is a long way to election day. But the start that both Sarah Palin and John McCain have given their campaign has given the GOP ticket a fighting chance in November — a possibility many pundits scoffed at just a month or so ago. It just goes to show that underestimating this man is the height of stupidity. Sarah Palin may be a “barracuda” — but John McCain is the young stallion, kicking up his heels and rearing up to challenge the establishment, the GOP leadership, and Barack Obama with all the strength and passion that’s left in that still youthful 71-year-old body.
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Rick Moran is PJM Chicago editor; his own blog is Right Wing Nut House.
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20 Comments
1. surf66:its a speech , the end of which, you come back to again and again. Here is an American who loves his country dearly: will sacrifice any sacrifice, bear any burden because he truly loves America. His qualifications are unassailable: but the love and dedication he has to service for our country he shared through the words he spoke to EVERY American were suddenly crystal clear!
Sep 5, 2008 - 11:17 am 2. Jim Stutts:I want no other person than John McCain as president. In the heart of every senator and congressman or woman…there MUST be at least some small bit of goodwill towards the citizens of this great land. We need all of them to reject devisiveness and work for the good of us all.
I will go to the polls and proudly vote for the man who can inspire these two contentious bodies of lawmakers into serving the American people.
He spoke to us last night.
“Here is an American who loves his country dearly: will sacrifice any sacrifice, bear any burden because he truly loves America. His qualifications are unassailable: but the love and dedication he has to service for our country he shared through the words he spoke to EVERY American were suddenly crystal clear!”
Does he? Explain his assaults on the Constitution and our sovereignty? Explain Juan Hernandez. Explain his desire to undermine our economy with his global warming nonsense. Explain his legislative record.
McCain is a liberal politician. Nothing more. He loves himself.
He may have spoken to you, but he lied to me.
Sep 5, 2008 - 11:28 am 3. DeWayne:For me, the crowning line was when he said he became his countries man in that Vietnamese prison.
I can believe and revere that.
Sep 5, 2008 - 12:09 pm 4. Aaron:My favorite part was watching him try to explain that in order to correct the abuses and failures of the Bush presidency, we should elect another GOP president.
It’s interesting watching him trying to play a maverick on the one hand and a traditional Republican on the other. The GOP rank and file does not want a maverick except for the purposes of the election. Flash back to the summer of 2004 when he was all over Bush for his failures in Iraq, and he suddenly fell silent. At the time I attributed this to a realization (or perhaps a back room conversation) that his maverickness was not going to get him a GOP nomination. And so far it’s looking like I was right.
Sep 5, 2008 - 12:55 pm 5. surf66:there’s only one liar, Jim. You just don’t believe it yet.
Sep 5, 2008 - 1:17 pm 6. Richard:Gov. Palin may be just a heartbeat away from the presidency,
Sep 5, 2008 - 1:48 pm 7. Dave ll:but at least the Republicans HAVE A HEARTBEAT!
McCain – the fighter who HATES war, but will defend America no matter what.
Obama – the community organizer, who hates to take a stand on anything “above his paygrade”.
Can the differences be any more stark?
Sep 5, 2008 - 2:37 pm 8. DeWayne:Aaron said:
“It’s interesting watching him trying to play a maverick on the one hand and a traditional Republican on the other.”
Actually Aaron, it’s not a stretch. The Republican Party HAS lost sight of it’s principles, the principles embodied so boldly by Reagan. Smaller Government, Love of Country, Belief in the American People…
All these have been lost recently, and I believe McCain intends to bring them back.
Sep 5, 2008 - 3:04 pm 9. Jim Stutts:“McCain – the fighter who HATES war, but will defend America no matter what.”
Except from Mexico. He will never defend us there.
Has this speech caused a collective amnesia concerning his political career? His political career has been largely anti-American in recent years. How can a well-written and practiced speech rewrite that?
Sep 5, 2008 - 4:13 pm 10. DavidB:It’s interesting to read the commentaries from the two camps here. I fall somewhere in the middle: I admire John McCain’s service to our country (including staying in an incredibly inhumane POW camp instead of taking an opportunity to come home – wonder how the man walks with stones like that), but I also remember McCain-Feingold and McCain-Kennedy. Then again, I’m pleased to see him admit his prior mistake regarding offshore drilling. Bottom line: I support McCain, with a few reservations.
That said, I couuld never vote for Obama. The man seems to be a true believer Socialist at heart, but it’s pretty tough to tell when he keeps changing his song about things.
Sep 5, 2008 - 8:57 pm 11. Rachel Peepers:First, a little history.
On December 22, 1944, Brigadier General Anthony Clement McAuliffe, commanding the 101st Airborne which was encircled by German Troops inside the little town of Bastogne, received an ultimatum of surrender. His reply as we all know was, “Nuts”.
Now a little metaphor.
In my view, just a month ago, McCain’s summer campaign, with troop morale low, and ammunition lower,was surrounded by a coilition of Obama’s Army and American Turncoats, or as they’re often called in today’s parlance, “The Mainstream Media.”
John McCain, not the Hollywood Top Gun, Tom Cruise, “Mavarick”, but the real McCoy, sensed fresh troops were needed to join the battle. And essentially did what McAuliffe did. He rolled the dice and decided to try and hold out until reinforcements arrived.
The Christmas present of all Christmas presents.
On Christmas Day, 1944, for the battling bastards of Bastogne, prayers were answered; faith rewarded.
Nick-of-time Reinforcements,in the person of Patton’s 80th Blue Ridge Mountain Infantry Division, battled their way into town. Which, as the history books tell, turned the tide of battle.
Patton, hated by newspaper reporters and mealy mouthed liberals, saved the day, snatching victory from the Nazi jaws of defeat.
From one American hero to another.
While some thought John McCain was nuts for selecting Governor Sarah Palin to reenergize his Army, he knew exactly what he was doing.
And, so, despite heavy fire from the Mainstream Media targeted by Obama’s FDC (fire direction center),on September 4th, Sarah Palin’s courage under fire; her qualities of courage, confidence, toughness, tenacity and give-em’hell-Harry style vim and vigor startled an overconfident enemy.
Taking dead aim, Sarah Palin fired off salvo after salvo into the microphone and sent the cowardly cabal of socialized sissies scurrying in retreat.
Her take no prisoners mentality.
And if those Code Pink buffoons had tried to mount the stage, I have no doubt Governor Palin would have gone and knocked them to kingdom come.
Back to American history.
If Saratoga was the turning point of the Revolutionary war, and The Battle of the Bulge” was the turning point of WWII, then Sarah Palin’s speech at the Twin Cities was the turning point of the crusade to save this country from a potential Obamination of Biblical Proportions.
Barack has never been battle tested. McCain’s not just battle tested, he’s torture tested.
As for Sarah? (I keep on wanting to call her Sarah Conners).
Well, isn’t it all too obvious? The girl bleeds red white and blue. As opposed to perpetually gloomy maudlin, craggily, scraggily faced Michelle who disgraces the American flag every chance she gets, not a day goes by that Sarah Palin isn’t proud of her flag and everything it stands for.
Honestly, I would follow this woman to the gates of hell and back.
In fact, in the history of human events, her speech just may have been America’s finest hour.
Sarah Palin. I salute you.
Sep 5, 2008 - 10:22 pm 12. god:After all is said and done, who is really going to run this country?
It’s going to be big business, big oil, big pharmaceuticals, big weapons makers, big investors, drug lords, big religion, law makers and whoever is lending money to the US to keep things going.
In other words, 1%-2% of the country. The rest of us just pull along . . .
Sep 5, 2008 - 10:25 pm 13. Believer:“…beautiful, blessed, bountiful America” /// “We’re Americans, and we never give up.”
These are the words of a leader. One who inspires with a thankful heart and calls us to victory in every endeavor.
How sweet to the ears are these — a refuge from those ungrateful few who embrace defeat.
Sep 6, 2008 - 6:34 am 14. Fallon:The summation of the two speeches can best be described as brilliantly balanced.
The newly named VP had gone through an unbelievably stressful and attack riddled four days. Who in her position, male or female, wouldn’t feel vulnerable, shaken.
But, there was no vulnerability in her speech. She was tough as nails, charming, funny, poised and disarmingly tough as nails.
No one would describe John McCain as anything but tough. He is as combative and unorthodoxed a candidate as you will find and not always likeable. This was also a guy who underwent and lived through horrors that most of us do not even want to know about. He is not known for his eloquence or subtlety.
But, there was something tangibly vulnerable and simple in his speech. No, he didn’t become eloquent overnight, but he shared a message from his heart and it was just as effective as if he had waxed poetic.
The Democratic conventioned delivered as planned but the GOP convention was an invigorating, pleasant surprise. It was a unapologetic “Game on!” to the Democrats and it won this independent, former Obama supporting voter, over.
Sep 6, 2008 - 7:59 am 15. Bill in New York:re:Jim Stutts
Six months ago (I’m ashamed to admit it now), I felt like McCain was a backstabbing Republican liberal who wanted to be popular more than principled… after the convention, I saw John McCain for the first time, and knew I was wrong. It was humbling to see the full context of this man’s life and sacrifice, including his wife’s, his grandfather and fathers, and his children… this is the most qualified man for President I have ever seen in my lifetime (now almost 50 years), and his VP is a bonafide reformer and hero to conservative ideals… I am enthusiastic and proud to support McCain/Palin… even though I may not always agree with him on every issue, I agree more than disagree and respect him tremendously… we are very fortunate to have men like John McCain among us… and I hope you can see your way to distinguish between the DIFFERENCE between him and Obama, which he clearly defined in his speach that I thought was a great one indeed (I don’t care how “polished” he is, in fact I would rather have a real man than a phoney baloney con man who is good at giving a speach).
Sep 6, 2008 - 10:11 am 16. We Need McCain |:[...] Shamelessly plagiarized from Pajamas Media [...]
Sep 6, 2008 - 10:43 am 17. Greg Sparkman:After McCain’s speech Thursday night, Jeffrey Toobin on CNN stated, “It was the worst speech I have ever heard.” It wasn’t as stunning as some at the GOP convention, but it was very effective to me, and other’s like me I think. I am one of those that was prepared to vote for McCain simply because I believe Obama would be disastrous for our country. I am fully on board with McCain/Palin ticket now. It began with the Palin announcement on Friday, and was solidified with her speech on Wednesday night. I didn’t expect much from McCain to change my opinion of him, but he did it.
I see his speech as three parts: The Thank You, The Promise, The Covenant.
The first two parts were the typical language heard in most political speeches. It was the last third that turned McCain’s speech into something special for me. I cringed a bit when he began recounting his Viet Nam ordeal. So many had already incorporated this story into their speeches, and most of us already know the story. McCain, however, brought more to the story than I ever expected. He made of it an explanation of the cauldron that forged the man he is today. For me it turned his promises of the middle of speech more than common political rhetoric. He made them a Covenant. A personal pact with the weight of strength, honor and love of country that he learned and earned in Viet Nam behind it.
I know that there are cynics who won’t believe in the Covenant, but even though McCain takes stands on policies I do not agree with, I cannot doubt his character. That character and the OTHER 90% of policies opinions we do share makes me now a solid McCain/Palin supporter. One last note. For 5 years I have refused to give money to the GOP as they lost their way. On the Friday McCain announced his Palin pick I sent in a donation and ordered the lawn signs (which I’ve never done). I want to see this ticket prevail, for what McCain can do over the next four years, and what Sarah can to beyond that.
Sep 6, 2008 - 3:24 pm 18. Jim Stutts:Re: Bill in New York
What you saw was a speech. Nothing more. How can you ignore what he has actually DONE in his political life? What about being a POW or his Dad’s career in the Navy warrant ignoring that? How can you let rhetoric replace history?
Sure, he’s better then Obama, but he McCain consorts with traitors to our country in his campaign and has shown himself an enemy of the Constitution. Whatever Ace once was, he’s a craven politician now. We deserve better.
Sep 6, 2008 - 3:48 pm 19. William of Orange:After the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln was heard to have said, “well, that plow won’t scowl” referring to what he thought of his speech. It followed on the heels of some great and windy orator’s 1-hour rambling monologue that has long ago been forgotten.
I do not, for an instant, compare McCain’s speech to the Gettysburg Address nor do I mean to connote that Ms Palin’s speech was anything less than splendid — especially under the circumstances.
But there was an endearing quality to John McCain’s words — the way he struggled to orate, the honest, workmanlike effort to get the words out — that made it so endearing.
Should he win election, or, indeed even if Obama wins and becomes the train wreck of a president I believe he will be, people might well remember John McCain’s passionate expressions of love for his country and his exhortations for us to fight for a better America.
God bless John McCain and God bless the United States of America.
Sep 7, 2008 - 1:51 am 20. Howard:OBAMA = BETRAYAL
Sep 19, 2008 - 9:05 amObama supporters are foolish to think that he will never betray them.
Obama was a close friend of Pastor Wright for TWENTY YEARS.
Obama threw Wright under the bus for personal ambition.
McCain would not betray his country even after 5 years of torture.
You can put lipstick on a traitor, but he’s still a traitor.