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DEL.ICIO.USLet the horse race begin! Georgia delegation felt energy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
J.G. Anderson, 33, lives in Atlanta and attended the Republican National Convention. Anderson. has resided in Atlanta for 23 years, and he attended the University of Georgia Law School and graduated in 2004 as a member of the Order of the Coif. Though an attorney, J.G. currently works as an independent journalist writing from a centrist point of view.
With the descending balloons at the Xcel Center, the primary season officially ended and the tickets were firmed up for a 60-day dash to history.
Yesterday’s convention conclusion was the crescendo of the week for an event once threatened with cancellation by the power of Hurricane Gustav and truncated in respect for the Gulf states. John McCain staked a bold claim to the center Thursday night by outlining the failures of both parties in Washington and appealing to Americans to support his bipartisan approach to problem solving for the next four years.
The stage for John McCain’s acceptance of the GOP’s nomination for president of the United States was converted into a more intimate setting with the feel of a town hall meeting. His speech and promises to fight entrenched corruption in a bipartisan fashion came across as authentic to members of the Georgia delegation and the casual observer of Washington politics alike, considering the attacks against McCain over the past 20 years for pursuing reform against entrenched special interests.
From a larger perspective, the GOP ticket has clearly thrown down the gauntlet at the feet of the Democrats, no longer willing to cede “change” ground and setting up what could shape up to be one of the closest elections in American history.
McCain’s convention goals were clear, yet in tension with each other — unite and excite the base of the GOP while also putting forth a strong appeal to Democrats and Independents.
With the deft maneuvering of a maverick that has marked his entire career, McCain hit the mark with both goals by exciting the base with the historic candidacy of Sarah Palin while still reaching out to undecided voters. As McCain’s speech pressed forward, members of the Georgia delegation not only sat on the edges of their seats, but also rose to their feet numerous times during the speech to cheer on.
Overall, while lacking in the polished rhetorical flourish of Barack Obama, McCain’s speech came across as an intimate talk with every voter in America. While observing the Georgia delegation for the past week, it is apparent that McCain and Palin have delivered a strong message promising center-right governance with a maverick style. Last night, McCain underlied his record as supportive of his bipartisan pitch by tell America, “I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again.” He then stated, “I have that record and the scars to prove it. Sen. Obama does not.”
With this statement, the Georgia delegation rose in a wave of roars of excitement and approval.
Over the next two months, Georgians will be wooed and cajoled by Democrats and the Obama campaign from every possible input, old media and new; however, with the energy felt by the Georgia delegation at the close of the convention, Georgians aren’t going to be swayed without a fight.
Comments
By The Way
September 6, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
MCain’s speech didn’t fool America. They remember which candidate has used the “change” mantra for over a year, and it wasn’t McCain.
So the first time he gets America’s ear, he parrots Obama? America will give McCain more chances, but now he has to find aplomb he’s never had. Now he has to form the language of a maverick.
He came across like a guy without an identity, without a unique point of view, and without an independent thought.
A: Sarah Palin, her daughter Bristol, and John McCain.
Q: Name two hockey moms and a puck.
McCangelina 08: A nice rack trumps Iraq, Barrack and that Clinton potatoe sack.