Reader comments: McCain's bipartisan pitch

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WC | 10:18 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
Funny how McCain called for bipartisanship at the end of a convention, that he is supposed to control, which was nothing BUT partisan jabs.

Hypocrites - all of them.
Dry and Boring | 10:23 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
I refuse to vote for anybody like McCain. It is time to move past these old timers and get some REAL change. Obama runs circles around this old timer and if I have to hear about military experience again...I am going to puke. Glad the Code Pink gals showed up to disrupt the old man.

There will be NO bounce for McCain. Obama will be in the White House by next January.
Grimble | 10:27 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
How hypocritical of McCain to claim to want to "end the partisan rancor" after Giuliani's seizure and Palin's smarmy student-body speech.

Lots of We Are the World. But no policy plans. No indication of what Bush has done wrong that he'll do right. No explanation of why he talks the talk about alternative energy but does everything he can to hobble alternative energy entrepreneurs. No explanation of how he'll "change" Washington when he's voted with Bush 90% of the time and has a staff full of lobbyists. No explanation why so many of the items on his famous "Trim the Pork" lists are earmarks put forward on behalf of Alaska by Palin's lobbyists.

And perhaps most importantly, no indication of what he'll do to benefit ordinary Americans. Nothing. Zilch. Nothing in his economic plan will benefit anyone but the very rich. Nothing in his healthcare plan will offer systemic reforms, inflation control, or relief for the middle class. Won't support a WWII-style G.I. Bill. Nothing to improve jobs but the old, failed, Republican canard of giving handouts to the rich and hoping the hire on some more help.

Lots of talk. But nothing to offer.
Comments continue below
Paul Revere | 10:27 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
What I don't understand is why we as a nation put so much credence in the words of the politicians, including John McCain. Why get "fired up" about what he says in his speech tonight? It's not like he wrote it.

The Wall Street Journal today (09-04-08) had an article featuring John McCain's speech writer. It said in part, "John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday is the pinnacle of a partnership between the candidate and his friend of nearly two decades, speechwriter Mark Salter...He has penned nearly every important speech in Sen. McCain's political career..Mr. Salter wrote the first draft of Thursday's speech in Maine at his family's remote summer cabin, completing it a month ago."

Obama has a speechwriter too. I'd like to hear what the candidates have to say without someone writing their speeches for them. Maybe McCain's speechwriter should be running for office?
Mc | 10:27 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
I have been a reluctant McCain supporter because I couldn't stomach Obama's liberalism, but I was very moved by McCain's speech tonight. It was one of the most patriotic speeches I have ever heard. He was sincere and inspiring. I am no longer reluctant. He has my full support!
Proud to be an American | 10:33 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
McCain makes me proud to be an American. Obama just scares me------he is an unknown quantity that has never been tested.
cck | 10:43 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

McCain played the POW card for the last time I can bear hearing it. The RNC offered us 'Little House on the Alaska Prarie" They showed us dead people falling out of the sky at 911 to appeal to our fear and offered nothing but rhetoric and promises to do some fairly undefined 'something' to make our lives better.
McCain wants us to fight for what is right. Yawn! Doesn't he know that's part of the problem - fighting for what is right and apparently going nowhere except deeper into debt? McCain had better stand up and fight. He wants to be the leader.
Ditto | 10:44 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
I'm scared, too and if that makes liberals angry, sarcastic, or just plain mad then let them be. Conservatives also have the ability to think, make a choice, and stand up for their beliefs.
ill eagle alien | 10:47 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
That was a great talk.

I had a little difficulty swallowing the whole "Let me just offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me first, country second crowd: Change is coming."

What?

You'd almost think it was a different party that had held the Executive Branch the last 8 years. Are people gonna fall for it?

The whole change theme is directly targeting Obama's slogan, so it'll be interesting to see how that affects their strategy.

His campaign is certainly reinvigorated.
boo | 10:49 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
bipartisan, my rear.
McCain makes me ashamed to be an American. He just scares me. Obama is a true leader. Too bad for the McCainites, Obama will be the next president.
Sad to be Republican | 11:22 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
McCain is very scary. I love how he avoid the immigration issue completely, except to say that in his opinion children of illegal aliens are Americans too. I sure hope the GOP returns to their core values after McCain gets thoroughly thrashed in November.
Anonymous | 11:23 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
McCain scares me more. A known quantity who guarantees more of ethe same failed policies of the past 8 years.

The country is going down the tubes - even McCain acknowledged it tonight, over and over - but its not going to be changed by a 20 year insider. Obama is bright, educated, passionate, hard working, and a leader like we haven't seen in 30 years.

God, how i miss having leadership in this country!
Top 2 Bottom | 11:59 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008
this is a LOSER ticket. I hate to see my party shoot themselves. But that's what they've done with this flawed nominee. Time to enter the CArter clean up years. It's only for 4.
8ButNoHate | 12:01 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
I was unsure about McCain and Palin until I heard them both speak. I'm now on board. Obama has no experience and plenty of plans for more liberal socialism.

McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time? I didn't know that Bush submitted legislation and voted. How about Obama voting with the ACLU 90% of the time. Check his record at their website.
Boooooring! | 12:07 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
I was on (and maybe still am on the fence) about the election, but John McCain was boring, meandering, and disorganized.

Palin's speech lit the fire, McCain promptly put it out.

And that 9/11 video earlier that day was just disgraceful and disgusting.
Funny comments | 12:16 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
It's always funny to read the comments of the disgruntled left. Please keep them coming!

One question, though: Why do you write the questions in such a way that it's obvious to everyone that you wrote your responses to the McCain speech hours before the speech was over?
patrick c | 12:17 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Avoiding substance all together, I just can't stomach the thought of sending McCain overseas as our Number One diplomat. His speech was so incredibly boring, as is his presence.

You can say what you will about Obama's inexperience, but you'd have to admit that with him at the helm we stand a chance of healing the damage that Bush has done with dozens of our former allies. He's got the MoJo and I see no reason why that wouldn't translate around the world.

He's a rock star. Let's use that to our advantage. Maybe the rest of the world will respect us again.
Nan | 12:34 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
All that I can say is this country is in real trouble and with Obama in the White House we do not know what trouble he will bring. He is so Liberal with horrible ideals that is scares me. McCain is honest and I do feel that he truly wants to make this Country a better and safer place for us. We all need to remember that Washington needs a good clean up and I do feel that a McCain/Palin will just do that clean it up. Obama will just keep on doing the same old thing and it will be like having Carter in there all over again only this time we also have all of those enemies out there that do not like the USA. Think about it please and pray to God above for his guidance please we need it.
It was spud-spew | 12:38 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
In my house we have a term for aimless, feel-good blathering that panders to the emotions surrounding an issue but provides no insights as to how to rationally and effectively address the issue. We call it "spud-spew." It's like someone is trying to bury you in mashed potatoes.

America is just about drowning is spud-spew.

OK, good for McCain that he wants to "drill now!" What else did he say? Nothing.

We already know he was an POW. I respect him for his service to our country and it's terrible what happened to him, but that doesn't change the fact that I want a candidate to spell out for me what new initiatives he has to offer!

All I got from him last night was spud-spew.

Sorry, I'm not hungry.
Armando | 12:44 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Nice to see that many of the ultra-conservative Utahns are put off by McCain and Palin tactics / lies / lack of substance. I am glad that many of us Mormons are going to vote with our brains and not straight down the political/religious lines this time around.

Mormons for Obama!
Ridgerunner | 1:28 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
I loved his speech! I found it releate with great ideas and plans on everything from energy to terrorists. I found his speech healing, profound and insightful. My favorite line from him was, "Nothing brings a person more happiness than serving a cause greater than yourself." I believe him and I believe he has done that most of his life and will continue to do so as our President! As I compare him with Obama I see a great differnece in motivation to serve! I am voting Republican this election! I invite all other to consider the man, his character and his motivations.
Re: Patrick | 1:49 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
What damage has Bush done with the rest of the world? What he has done is show the world we will not put up with Islamic murders! The problem with Obama is he isn't at war but our enemies are! He (and apparently you) think the enemy is GWB. We live in a very dangerous world Pal, and some people just don't get it! Wait until Iran sets off a nuclear divice somewhere in the world..maybe here! Then you and others can ask for help from the French! LOL
Re: Spud spew | 2:18 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
I really enjoy spuds! French fried, baked, mashed or scalloped,all delicious. Moreover I loved the speeches at the Rebuplican convention!
It's all about oil! | 8:35 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Afraid of Obama? Why? It seems like you would be more afraid of McCain who apparently
promises to be more of a maverick and create contention & discord rather than actually solve problems. He’s been in Washington for 26 years.

How much responsibility does McCain share
with Bush & co for the changes in Washington that have been do disastrous to the American economy? We don’t need more of that!

The stock market is falling this morning, unemployment
is at 6.1%, the country continues to tank. We are now in love with the very evil Ghadafi who shot down a plane load of people over Scotland and committed other horrible acts of terrorism against the US. But now, since we need Libya’s oil....we find a way to forgive him and claim he’s redeemed himself. The great fight for Iraq wasn’t for Iraqi freedom, but for Iraqi oil. It should be clear by now, except for the totally unseeing blind.

The need for oil is our greatest need and our greatest problem. Are we going to attack every oil country in the world in order to get it? Seems like some think that’s the right approach.
Iran? | 9:01 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Speaking of Iran, does anyone remember the days when Saddam Hussein and Iraq considered Iran their deadly enemy? Or the insistence by Bush that Hussein expose his weapons of mass destruction - or his lack of weapons -to the world (and to Iran) or the time Saddam said, "I would have been George Bush's best friend?" It doesn't take much thinking to understand the meaning of all that - and then crippled Iraq turning to Iran (it's enemy)for help, and now the US and McCain singing about Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran....well, now that we've spent billions and billions of dollars trying to get control of the oil over there, we don't want Iran stepping in and taking over do we? That's the way I remember it, or see it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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Republican presidential nominee John McCain addresses the Republican National Convention. (Paul Sancya, Associated Press)
Paul Sancya, Associated Press
Republican presidential nominee John McCain addresses the Republican National Convention.