John McCain: An American hero, worthy to lead

(POST WILL BE UPDATED ALL DAY WITH NEW LINKS)

PRIDE OF PLACE ADDITION: To celebrate Bill Whittle's return (God willing) to regular writing, I quote from his essay in National Review Online:

And, finally . . . what of John McCain? I’ve read many comments about his speech being a disappointment. I don’t know how it looked or played from the floor. But I know how it played from my Los Angeles living room. I believe — and we’ll know soon enough if I’m right — that John McCain did something Thursday night more powerful and astonishing than Sarah Palin did the previous evening. Sarah stole Obama’s glamour. McCain stole his message. (Granted, that may not be a lot, apart from the glamour, but it was all Obama had left.) {emph. mine - Kat}

(We now return you to the original post)

A couple of confessions, first - as I was a little worried about how Gov. Palin would do on Wednesday night, I was also worried about how McCain would do last night. Saracuda did so well, and was received so enthusiastically that, combined with her pitbull determination and her novelty, I wondered how Sen. McCain would match her.

Well, Maverick did just fine - just fine, indeed!

Which leads to my second confession: I only watched the speech this morning on CSPAN's YouTube channel. Although I wasn't sorry to miss what I hear were some real yawner speeches last night, I did want to watch McCain - but, as they say, the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak: I was asleep by about 9:45. Ah, well...

But I watched the speech this morning, and I was very optimistic because of what my blog-brother, Mike, has passed along in the e-mail list (gotta check the e-mail first thing in the morning, LOL) and then posted on his blog:

We’d heard the story over and over this week. How he was shot down. How he was tortured. How he never fully healed. So I didn’t expect to hear it again from him.

By the time he’d finished his story, I was nearly in tears. And I understood. I understood the Maverick. I understood his value system. I understood his love for America.

By the end, I was ready to scream along with the crowd.

I may have been slow in coming around.

But tonight, I love John McCain.

When I watched the video, I, too, understood. And I can now say, proudly and certainly that

JOHN MCCAIN IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR AMERICA!!

Watch his speech:

I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years. But I have been her servant first, last and always. And I've never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn't thank God for the privilege. [...]

I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why. If I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before. For a long time. And they broke me.

When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door, my friend, Bob Craner, saved me. Through taps on a wall he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for our country and for the men I had the honor to serve with. Because every day they fought for me.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's.

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.

And that, my friends, draws the stark contrast between the newest American Idol, Barack Obama, and a true American Hero, John McCain.

I am sure that Obama is intelligent, and attractive, and charismatic; his accomplishment in rising to where he is is a testament to the American ideal that a citizen of this great country can do anything, if he or she puts their mind to it.

But Sen. Obama simply does not have the history of sacrifice, of dedication, of endurance and of honor that are the distinctive marks of John McCain's life.

Sen. Obama is too untried, he is too unscarred, he is too unknown. I cannot risk entrusting the safety, prosperity and freedom of this country to him. John McCain, for all the differences I may have with him (*cough* McCain-Feingold *cough* Amnesty for Illegal Aliens *cough*), is a man who has PROVEN with blood, sweat and tears, that he is worthy to lead this great country and to protect and serve the Constitution to the best of his considerable ability.

John McCain has the determined steadfastness, courage, and character required of a President of the United States.

Here are more links to read:

• CalTech Girl - "John McCain: Service, Sacrifice, Substance"
• Jim Bowden, while he is cautious, says "Senator John McCain called for Americans to fight with him for what is right and best."
• Bearing Drift calls for Sen. McCain to be bold - "If you can deliver on that, you will change the future of this nation for the better."
• The Right Wing Liberal - "And they broke me" (That line in the speech was delivered without histrionics; just a simple, heavy, statement of fact - it gave me goosebumps, and smacked me in the face with the brutal horror POWs went through)
• Scott looks at the terrorist vote *snicker*
• Crystal Clear Conservative observes "I like that McCain actually mentions real life stories in battleground states.  It is a good political move in a speech.  It is good to hear how he will fight for these people to ensure a better future." She did an EXCELLENT liveblog last night!
• Dr. Melissa is thinking along the same lines I was: "How do you compare a man of his depth and breadth with Barack Obama? There is no comparison."
• From National Review's Corner blog: K-Lo "I think this McCain speech is one that will resonate." and she asks some good questions... Then Peter Robinson - The Eloquent Absence of Eloquence "Tonight John McCain ensured that the democracy to which he has dedicated his life has functioned yet again.  He gave the American people a choice." And Jay Nordlinger has an excellent point-by-point commentary
• Actually, the Corner has a lot of stuff (just keep scrolling) - Victor David Hanson gives this thought: "McCain's last minute was worth the entire hour. What I like about him is that he doesn't care whether he or his experiences are ancient history to the duh/whatever generation. He does things his way and has confidence in yet another generation of Americans who in time will come around as he himself once did so long ago"
• John Podhoretz says "But this was not a speech for people interested in policy, or for those who are going to vote for McCain, but for people who don’t yet know for whom they are going to vote."
• RightWingSparkle has a very personal post up that is a MUST READ: " 'I was not my own man anymore. I was my country's.' That was the line of the night. It illustrates why McCain should be our President. He belongs to us. He fought for us. He suffered for us. [...] John McCain has always put his country first. He will always put us first. Because as he said, 'my country saved me.'  McCain has never forgotten that. He has lived his life returning that favor."
• The Texas Hill Blog came to my attention via one of my blog-brothers, DJ. A very interesting blog, and here's what they say "If you are looking for a great orator, the kind that makes your knees weak and has you screaming “hallelujah” to the rafters, the John McCain is not your guy… BUT ...If you listen to the content of his speech, to his words, they are chock full of wonderful reasoning and incredible insight."
• Zoey at blatherings says "he may be an old guy but he's my old guy."
• Yeah, Right, Whatever - "I'm still not a huge McCain fan, and I can't forget my objections to him, but I'm more willing to listen now." It's also another excellent round-up, and I'll probably be adding some of the links!
• CakeEater Chronicles - "No, it was not as hot as Palin's speech last night, but it wasn't designed to be.  It was a Presidential speech..." [emphasis mine - Kat] And LOTS of photos!
• Captain Ed at Hot Air - "Instead of a partisan attack on Barack Obama, McCain aimed a little higher.  He sounded a message of reform that reached out to people across the political spectrum, and he challenged everyone — but specifically Republicans — to reform government and the way they do business in politics."
• Powerline - "often pedestrian, but ultimately effective"
• Big Dog (still want to spell it "Dawg"... *grinz*) comments "...though not as gifted a speaker, McCain hit home with issues that affect families"