I have followed John McCain’s career for over two decades. I have never seen him more dispirited than he was tonight. In accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the presidency of the United States, John McCain lost.
I have seldom agreed with John McCain’s policies, but I have always had a fondness for him. Tonight it was heartbreaking to watch John McCain on television.
McCain was not defeated tonight by his opponent, Barack Obama. He was defeated by his own party. Tonight he is ostensibly the head of his party. But, in reality, his party had turned away from him.
John McCain gave a halting, uninspired, and pedestrian speech tonight. He delivered the speech because he had to. It was expected of him. But the Maverick could not marry the right wing of his party tonight. They never liked each other, and tonight the separation was final.
In forcing the selection of Sarah Palin on the ticket upon John McCain, the religious ideologues who now own the Republican party had taken charge of the presidential campaign. Yesterday they declared, through Sarah Palin, their intention to wage a culture war. But tonight it became apparent that John McCain was the first casualty of that war. His party had moved past him. They humiliated him in front of millions by reserving the two biggest cheers of the night for Sarah Palin, the number two on the Republican ticket – their chosen culture warrior.
Perhaps, in the end, tonight’s speech was a salute to an old soldier. John McCain has demonstrated great courage in his life – he has proven his character beyond doubt. But the presidency is not a lifetime award for a life lived valiantly – the presidency is a job for today, not a reward for the past. So, as his party looks past him to wage their coming culture war, John McCain’s own candidacy for the presidency will be sacrificed. John McCain’s nominating Convention was used to launch the culture war – at the expense of his candidacy. The best outcome for the culture warriors is a defeat in 2008, and a revamped campaign in 2012 with their man or woman at the top of the ticket. The Maverick is not their standard bearer, nor can he ever be. If the culture warriors do not immediately realize that tonight, they will come to realize it before November.
They say old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Sadly, tonight, I believe we watched the beginning of that long slow fade.
I agree, his speech was very dull.
Cindy was rather impressive with all her humanitarian effort presentation.
I’ve been fixated by the Republican ticket and message ever since Palin joined it and rabidly reading everything I could on every website and blog trying to make sense of it, and your insight here puts my mind at rest now. What was worrying me is now given succinct expression and I understand it better and, frankly, am less worried about the future, too. So, thanks and keep it up. I’ll be watching.
Hi there- I haven’t been reading you lately-sorry! Could you elaborate on what you mean by Culture warriors? I think I may have an idea, but am not sure.
What I do know is that I am sad and mad. I am sad that I can not be more excited about a female on a major ticket. I am also mad about other things about her too-too many to say here. I think that I am just disturbed by the whole thing, it just doesn’t feel right to me. Like in my gut or psyche-like if she comes to power the U.S. is going to suffer much. It’s almost a spiritual disturbance for me. And I am Christian, so it’s not that I am a Christian hater. Maybe this is what happens when you really care about an election.
I thought that McCain was the one to pick, not other people. I understand about committees and such, but isn’t it his final decision? I too think that she will outshine him and who knows-maybe they will kill him off just to have her as President. Poor Hillary if that happens. She would probably be so mad she could put a hit out on her!!!! Kidding.
And yes, Mash, I used to like McCain too-thought maybe if Obama didn’t win, at least it would be McCain that would be the top guy. Now I can’t stand him either. I used to respect him, not any more-he’s just like the others now.
Sorry so long!
Mash, it’s funny that you thought McCain’s speech was boring. I turned away from it to read and comment on your previous post. 🙂
I used to like the 2000 version of John McCain. I probably would have voted for him if he had beaten George Bush that year.
I’d say, politically, he’s more a moribund man than a maverick man. With all the rumours around about Sarah Palin, I think the Republicans’ blunder was non-vetting of Sarah Palin. The purist “culture warriors” are fighting a losing battle.