Thursday night breakdown
Cindy McCain, looking radiant in a teal blue suit, was graceful and elegant on stage Thursday night in her address to the Convention. She introduced her husband with pride and expressed her sincere confidence in her partner’s ability to be the next President of the United States. Referring to both her husband and Gov. Sarah Palin, Cindy McCain said, “You can trust his hand on the wheel, but it’s a good idea to have a woman’s hand on the wheel also.” She then returned to the crowd to watch Senator McCain’s speech, where she sat next to Governor and Mr. Palin.
During this speech, I was fortunate enough to sit directly behind Palin’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heath. Folks, you cannot help but get swept up in the normalcy of this family. Remember how President Reagan always could find Nancy’s hand without a glimpse? The conjured image sums up Sarah Palin’s parents. Mr. Heath had an arm around his wife both sitting and standing, while Mrs. Heath held baby Trig. For the record, Governor Palin isn’t the only female in the family with a penchant for glasses – she comes by her good looks and her eyewear style from her Mother!
It has been said of Senator John McCain that a podium-style speaking venue doesn’t suit him. Well, McCain certainly looked comfortable last night on a stage that was low in height and a walkway built to reach out into the crowd which made the event more intimate. Like running mate Governor Sarah Palin, Senator McCain’s words were well received, and his remarks left the audience feeling confident that McCain was an experienced leader who would always put our country first in his decision making process.
Wrapping up the four day convention, John McCain accepted the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night with “gratitude, humility, and confidence.” He shared his compelling life story and his determined vision to take our country down a road of peace and prosperity.
Mississippi delegate and Purple Heart recipient Aaron Rice said, “I couldn’t have asked for a better experience at the convention. Senator McCain’s speech was inspirational. He is a living testament to American determination and greatness.”
Mississippi delegate and Purple Heart recipient Aaron Rice and wife Kelly Maxwell Rice show their support for McCain.
McCain vowed to keep the country secure and acknowledged that there are many dangers in our world, but that he was not afraid of those dangers, he was prepared for them.
McCain offered a series of policy objectives emphasizing education reform, national security, fiscal reform, and energy independence. Possibly the largest applause line of the speech was when McCain pledged to “stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much.” You could tell that McCain really hit home with the audience as they burst into cheers, and a man sitting two rows behind me screamed, “That’s it! That is the most important issue!” Fired up, the crowd then began to chant, “Drill baby, drill!”
McCain shared his deep passion to serve our country. He said, “I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.”
McCain’s remarks ended with inspiring and persuasive calls that urged others to “stand up” and “fight with me.” The final words of his address — “We’re Americans. We don’t hide from history. We make history.”
The night ended with a bang as the entire McCain and Palin family entered on the stage with thousands of balloons and confetti pieces falling from the ceiling of the Xcel Center. As I left the building, I couldn’t help to think that through all the setbacks of the GOP Convention, it was a true success. Mississippi delegate and State Senator Dean Kirby summarized it well by saying, “I am leaving this convention fired up.” I am confident that Senator Kirby is in good company.
