McCain's Churlish, Semi-Snarky, Out-Of-Place Speech

John McCain is almost a footnote to last night's proceedings, given that he's been the presumptive Republican nominee for actual months now and last night's high drama was all about the primary season finally ending and a nomination finally emerging from the locked combat between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Instead, McCain took the opportunity to make a speech that was not only bland and boring, but marked by a weird snarkiness that seemed extremely out of place on a night that was all about a historic first — the first nominee of color for president in the history of the United States.

That narrative hasn't been a secret; smart handlers ought to have figured out what the reaction would be — all they'd have to do was look to the reaction following the Iowa primary, which prompted a non-partisan celebration that the United States had come so far that a lily-white state such as Iowa would select this man as their preferred nominee.

There will be plenty of time for McCain to attack Obama — or, I should say, to continue to attack Obama (he had done so yesterday morning from the AIPAC pulpit — or, er, bimah). Last night, coupled with the flat delivery, lame-o crowd and apparently-jarring green background (our Sam Stein has a delicate constitution), the tone of the speech just felt...wrong. (And in that context, his 'appreciation' of Clinton felt more like a swipe at Obama and a naked effort to poach her supporters.)

Fortunately for McCain, he really wasn't the focus of last night's excitement, so his speech isn't getting much attention beyond general thumbs-down (our favorite is Jeff Toobin: "That was awful! That was pathetic!"). But everything matters, and this outing served to underscore just how wooden McCain is at the mic (remember his acceptance of the nomination back in February? Yikes!).

What a missed opportunity, especially for a candidate who is generally known to be so likeable off the cuff. Here's what he should have said: "Tonight is a historic night for America, and I wish to congratulated two outstanding candidates who each made history in their own right. I look forward to beating them and all their colleagues in November." Fin. Too bad for him, last night's speech probably didn't help him down that path.

Related:
The Lime Green Monster: McCain's Speech Widely Panned [HuffPolitics]

Comments

[SeriousBlack]

It was embarrassing to watch. I honestly don't know how the Republicans think this guy can go up against someone like Obama. (Although because of all the various complexities and issues involved, it will still be a close election.)

[RoseL]

McSame is floating along on his POW status and unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who will see nothing else but that. He is not a friend to veterans, mothers, children, schools, communities, educational institutions, etc. We needn't think that he will change and all of a sudden become adept at providing caring governance should he become President (which we KNOW he won't).
He probably has a lot going for him, but at this time it is very difficult to see what it is!
I saw his speech and was appalled at the green background, his halting speech, the lack of clarity on some issues, his inability to joke, and finally, the fact that he did not take the high road and congratulate Senator Obama on his historic night.
Thanks, McSame! You gave me even more reasons for not voting for you!

[OfficialA]

As an Obama supporter, I just hope McCain keeps it up.

[ThoughtAboutIt]

McCain grew up a nasty, brat, child of priviledge. He graduated near the bottom of his Naval Academy class and being the son and grandson of Naval Admirals, no doubt helped him even achieve that.

His high school nickname was "punk". He left his 1st wife, then mother of their 3 children who'd been seriously injured in a car accident, for a rich 24 year old mob connected heiress when he 42. They married when he was 43, she 25. He is not a man of character. A failed pilot who was captured should not get brownie points for that.

Do we need another sociopath (who jokes about bombing and killing Iranian civilians) who grew up riding the coattails of his father and grandfather governing for the benefit of 1% of America? America and Americans are sinking fast. McCain as President would be like throwing a drowning man an anchor.

[Susanfrom29]

I thought MCain made Sen Obama look even more presidential in contrast and hope he continues to make such lead-footed moves showing how completely out of touch with the American people he really is.

Last night was a time to celebrate an historic American achievement. Instead of doing that, McCain looked disturbingly like the ghost of Christmas Past.

[breakingthrough]

Both McCain and Senator Clinton were out-classed last night by Senator Obama.
I wish more people could hear his speech, as I thought it represented well the New McCain as opposed to the Old McCain. The question is, which, indeed, is the Real McCain?
He has neither grace nor decency and should not be allowed by the media to coast on the predominant asset of having been a POW in Vietnam. He should be given the credit, but it should not define his candidacy.
And yes, Brian Williams, I've read "Faith of Our Fathers," and was duly impressed. In my book, however, he is still a nasty little man.

[Colmore]

Amen to that!! He was a POW what 40 years ago? What he has done since then is very tellig. He has cozied up to every lobbyist available. He was involved in the Keating 5 scandal. He will not let the reports from Viet Nam be released, since there appears to be damaging material on him in them. He was not the only POW, remember? He seems to be the only one who thinks the country owes him the presidency on that alone. He is a creepy little man. God help us all if the repubs. `falsify the votes again this time. It IS time for change. We do not need a man who seems to be living in the past.