McCain accepts GOP nod in presidency race
The longtime senator promised to shake up Washington.
Published Sept. 4, 2008
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accepted the Republican nomination for president with a promise of change Thursday night at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
"Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming," McCain said.
The convention took place Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center, the same location where Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gave his first speech as the presumptive Democratic nominee on June 3.
The focus Monday, the opening day of the convention, was on Hurricane Gustav rather than speeches from political heavyweights. Delegates at the convention were asked to donate to hurricane relief.
"I know the delegates are disappointed," First Lady Laura Bush said in her speech. "They come from all over the country to have this big celebration, but on the other hand I know they understand."
Missouri College Republicans Chairman Jeremy Hagen said McCain's focus on hurricane relief efforts shows his dedication to the country.
"Shortening the convention and therefore risking the typical political gains associated with a convention, all in order to assist those in Louisiana and surrounding states, demonstrates John McCain's and the Republican Party's sincerity and dedication to putting the country, its citizens and its interests ahead of party and political posturing," Hagen said.
Communications professor William Benoit said diverting attention from the convention did not help McCain as much as the candidate hoped.
The convention was back on schedule Tuesday night with former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., who gave a speech commenting on McCain's ability to lead the country.
"John McCain's character has been tested like no other presidential candidate in the history of this nation," Thompson said. "We hear a lot of talk about hope. John McCain knows about hope. That's all he had to survive on."
President George Bush also addressed the convention via satellite Tuesday night, and said McCain is the man who knows how to protect America.
"If the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain's resolve to do what is best for his country, you can be sure the angry left never will," he said in regard to McCain's time as a prisoner of war.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, addressed the convention Wednesday night, referring to herself as a pit bull with lipstick.
"I accept the challenge of a tough fight," Palin said.
Palin, whose oldest son joined the U.S. Army in 2007, praised McCain as a war hero who "knows how tough fights are won."
"In politics there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she said. "Then there are those like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."
Palin went on to criticize Obama, arguing that he "has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform."
"In small towns we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening," she said.
Obama dismissed Palin's remarks yesterday afternoon while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
"I've been called worse on the basketball court," Obama said. "It's not that big of a deal."
Hagen said Palin's speech was impressive not only to Republicans, but also independents and conservative Democrats.
"Her ability to bring together those three segments of the political spectrum, along with John McCain's strength among moderates, independents and conservative Democrats equate into a winning voting coalition in November," Hagen said.
Benoit said Palin's attacks on Obama were not out of line and vice presidential candidates typically attack more than the presidential nominees.
"Unless one of the potential scandals turns really ugly, she will probably help McCain some," Benoit said, in reference to charges of corruption in Palin's Alaska.
McCain will meet with Obama for the first of three scheduled debates on Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi-Oxford.
