Posted by
Patriotic Woman on Friday, September 05, 2008 1:20:35 AM
When a leader is self assured, accomplished, and is serving a cause greater than himself, he does not need a hollywood set to make his lifestory engaging or believable. Watching McCain tonight reminded me of the comfort I got when my grandmother would comfort me in the absence of my mother. It is the security that comes from knowing that the person who is talking to you has walked a road that nobody should ever have to walk in order to offer the comfort he is offering. Indeed, John S. McCain's work on earth was not done yet, and that is why he survived so many 'close calls' during his military career. It is also why he became the nominee against all odds and used his wisdom to pick a VP who would energize the very base that had counted him out. These unexpected life's moments can not be described in script or screen, although they tried to do so tonight. It can only be felt by the heart, and processed by the mind each day, as the brain configures an understanding of how the divine, uses the human, to strategically defeat evil and vindicate what is right.
Listening to McCain tonight made me realize that the race is now between three people, McCain (the leader), Palin (the executor) and Obama (the questionable candidate). It seems like McCain has decided not to dignify Obama's youthful attacks with a direct response but rather to let Governor Palin, the executor, who is closer in age to Obama, deal with the youthful sparring. By rising up above the partisan conversation, McCain proved tonight that he really is an american leader not a republican leader. His gracious acknowledgement of Obama, was beyond the call of duty, considering Obama spent his convention insulting and attacking McCain. It did demonstrate the bi-partisan politics that McCain will embrace in Washington.
The youthful sparring between Palin and Obama will make this election exciting and historic. In the end, one of the 40 somethings will have convinced americans that McCain is the right leader for our country during these difficult times. The two forty somethings will also take time to discuss with americans whether Obama is the really the change we need and can trust. Trust is difficult to build because it can not be bought or negotiated. It must be earned. McCain's life story gives him a big score on the trust factor. Obama's life story, inspiring as it might be, it does not earn the trust with americans, especially the 'small town' americans.
Obama has 60 days to let americans know why McCain should not be trusted by the the very people he has been fighting for all his life. This is a hurdle that would have been easier to clear without the Palin factor. Something about Palin makes americans believe that Obama is not change we can trust because McCain has a record and Obama does not. McCain uses his career to make change happen, and Obama uses change to further his career. McCain will fight to keep us safe from our enemies, and Obama will fight for the miranda rights of our enemies.
Either way, it was comforting tonight to hear a candidate speak about his pride and love of country. For the past two years, all we've heard is what is wrong with the USA. Tonight, we heard with humility and grace, why this is still a country worth loving and defending. A country that 'makes history' and does not shy away from historically challenging times. A country that has produced a man whose life story connects our past, and present to the future generation.
McCain has given thirty somethings and forty somethings a reason to pledge allegience to the flag of the United States and the country for which it stands. He has reminded us why this is the land of the free and home of the brave. He also reminded us why in this election, change is not enough. We the people must use sound judgement to ensure the right change comes to washington. With Governor Palin's execution of domestic policy, and Senator McCain dealing with our enemies and ally's abroad, I am confident, we will remain a strong country. And these two will leave Washington D.C better than they found it. And that is very comforting for a forty something like me who has children to think about.
John S. McCain is an american hero, and one worthy of a last call to service as the President of the United States of America.