McCain Fails to Deliver Any Tropic Thunder

For all the hullabaloo about whether John McCain would match Sarah Palin's performance at the Republican convention, it wasn't even close. Where was the tropic thunder? McCain may have ended his speech with a Knute Rockne-like cry for Americans to fight and fight some more -- for what he never really said -- but most of his speech was a snooze, delivered in the tone of a kindly old uncle reminiscing about World War II before fretting about how how those pesky Russians are stirring up trouble again.

McCain's answer to America's woes seems to be a program of self-improvement -- "serve a goal greater than yourself," he suggested. But he never really explained what that goal might be. After eight years of the Bush administration running two wars without demanding an iota of sacrifice, indeed passing lavish tax cuts, McCain's exhortations could hardly have sounded more empty. In fact, to judge by McCain's talk, the only problem America seems to suffer from is that "some Republicans" -- once again, no names here -- succumbed to the temptation of "corruption." Well, yes. But it was the Bush administration's disdain for government that turned the Iraq War, among other things, into a free-for-all for contractors.

America's economic troubles barely even merited a nod, apart from vague promises to somehow emancipate America from Middle East oil. No doubt Sarah Palin will be offering some pointers in coming days about how Alaska can single-handedly solve that conundrum.

McCain clearly implied that he would like to resurrect the GOP in his own image. But so far, the only thing he has been resurrecting is the religious right by selecting Palin as his sidekick. He tried to make a virtue out of her ignorance, depicting her as a kind of freedom-fighter ignorant of Washington's corrupt ways who would help cleanse it. But for the most part, it hardly seemed like McCain's heart was even in his speech. Was tonight's more moderate version the real McCain? Maybe even he can't tell any longer.

Comments

[boredwell]

the leit motif that of "serve a goal greater than yourself" was lifted from Bush, Sr.'s 1990 State of the Union address. Memba? Those 1000 points of light generated by helping the lil old lady across the street kindnesses. Guess that sort of rhetoric is not just leftover crumbs from the 41st president's monologue: it feeds the mindless.

McCain is nothing more than a vapid ghost in politricks. He slumbers while Rove and company conjure the next four years. The cosmetically appealing pitbull is off leash, though restrained. The media isn't clamoring for him. His lacklustre self will continue to wander lost throughout the fray. Like his non-policies, ideas et al he's inserted from one site to next , a gizmoed widget without any sustaining merit.

[helpmeunderstand]

As to the Iraq war free for all for contractors, can anyone find one instance of the maverick going after that wasteful spending he often rails against? Or were those empty words too.

[kikishank]

Comment: Please sign this petition demanding the truth at www.alaskatroopergate.com that states:

"We, the undersigned, call on Sarah Palin to fulfill her promise to cooperate with the Alaska Troopergate investigation.

We demand that GOP operatives stop stonewalling the investigation.

We as Americans say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and demand the information we are entitled to know to make an informed decision before election day!"

Please help get the word out!

[RedBlue7]

4 Reasons Democrats have everything to gain from the rise of
Sara Palin in National Politics.

AND

4 Reasons Democrats & Obama Campaign should praise
Sara Palin for being a 'DO-GOODER' politician.

http://www.e-paperview.com/4reasons.html

[neo1]

The more I hear, the worse it seems to get. OMG, what is happening to our country?

We need to wake up and take our country back from the people who do not have our best interest at heart. We have been manipulated, lied to, and managed by the corporate elite since the day we were born and it doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. That's why it's time for US, you and me, to regain our common sense and bring order back into our lives.

Common sense tells us that when someone has lied to us, we should NOT believe them again? Especially if they never apologized for lying previously. Why would you want to accept anything past the lies as the truth? You don't lie one time and then change in midstream.

One candidate has lied on numerous occasions constantly. Why do you believe he's telling the truth now? Why are we giving these people the opportunity to persuade us that whatever they are saying is NOW the truth?

Think for yourself for a change. If it doesn't feel right, then it isn't right. If it doesn't sound right, then it isn't right. If it doesn't make you feel good, then it is not good. If it doesn't explain to you how things will change to help you, then what good is it?

Stop playing Russian Roulette with your life!

[ttmatthe]

Not only was it boring, it was unoriginal. He stole from Obama AND Dubya, and more from the later.

And they say he's not a Bush twin...

[KC333]

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. "
"We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."
"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
"To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men."
" If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
All these quotes were from the great President Abraham Lincoln.
The republicans have forfeited my confidence. Whether you are democrat, republican, or independent, VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cerus]

Actually, it was a thunderous thud.

[Venom5809]

Why is there not an article on here regarding John McCain's involvement with Jack Abramoff?

[Nia1999]

Now I remember why I think of George Bush whenever I see John McCain. A picture is worth thousand words.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/images/20050829-5_p082905pm-0125-515h.html

[margardner]

This must explain the lack of bounce. Even with his new gimmick (VP) no real bounce for McCain.
I truly respect those Republicans who are putting "Country First."

[hypocrisy]

According to the National Journal, John McCain wasn't on the Senate floor to vote for legislature concerning economic and foreign policy issues more than 50% of the time in 2007. The two most important concerns for Americans. Does that mean he'll only be around to answer the phone at 3 AM only 40% of the time???
Instead of "Maverick McCain" isn"t it really "No show McCain".

[JLopez]

"I know some of you have been left behind in the changing economy, and it often sees that your government hasn't even noticed. Government assistance for the unemployed workers was designed for the economy of the 1950s. That's going to change on my watch"-McCain last night.

What does that means? Does he want to get rid of Unemployment Benifits?

[jabonner]

I think one of JFKs `former speech writers put Mr. McCain's speech together. Other than asking for the republic(an) boiler plate, "reduce taxes" what I heard was a call for community service like any good Democrat might.

[JLopez]

We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."- Einstein