The Phoenix

McCain's Tepid Speech, Delivered Worse, Ends a Lackluster Convention

It was not a great speech and John McCain did not deliver it well. So ended a GOP convention that achieved only some of his goals. The pick of Sarah Palin galvanized his campaign (whether it ultimately works remains to be seen) and he did recast himself in the reform tradition. But the convention spent far too much time bashing Barack Obama rather than laying out a positive agenda.

The Dems did better a week ago. Will the Palin pick overshadow anything else that went on in the last two weeks?On to the fall campaign.

Published Sep 05 2008, 08:19 AM by Steven Stark

LorenzoJennifer said:

John McCain attempted to seize the "change" baton from Barack Obama by invoking his long-standing efforts at change and combining it with the experience necessary to produce effective change. The Straight Talk Express of 2000 may get 2008 license plates and return as a vehicle of change.

Will be interesting to see how McCain can justify his change-agent persona while explaining away his having voted for Bush 90% of the time, as Obama has stated. Change-and-experience, if McCain can pull it off, may spell trouble for Obama.

Saw and read enough about both conventions to readily realize that enthusiasm, energy, dedication and commitment are most all in the Democratic Party. Barack has the true believers in his camp. While Sarah Palin's evangelical Christian positions will inspire the religious righties, looks like the frisky donkey is romping while the tired elephant plods along.

Will the pick of Sarah Palin ultimately work, as is asked above? The vote is for president, not BFF.

September 6, 2008 8:28 AM