John McCain was never my first choice for Republican nominee. I didn't like a lot about him. But not long ago, I read a speech by a trusted Congressman (suprisingly not an oxy-moron in this case!) that gave me hope. And by hope, I mean what that word used to mean before the Obama Dictionary came out, in which it is defined as "....................". For real! Look it up yourself! I guarantee you will find an empty space in his dictionary.
Congressman Mike Pence gave a speech earlier this year in South Carolina at the Silver Elephant Dinner. I highly recommend the whole speech, which you can read here.
The following is the excerpt that gave me a new respect for John McCain:
"...it was a moment in Iraq last year, traveling with Senator McCain and with Senator Lindsey Graham, that convinces me that Republican voters have chosen the right man at the right time to lead this nation.
It was spring of 2007. We were at the Marine Corps base in Ramadi, Iraq. We’d been escorted to a small room to meet with Sunni Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, founder of the Anbar Awakening Movement that transformed the Anbar Province and all of Iraq from hostility to U.S. forces to extraordinary cooperation that continues to this day. He was a man who would soon be assassinated by his own bodyguards.
The Sheik entered in flowing robes, a man about my age, with intense eyes and a manner both regal and humble at the same time. He greeted us one by one. He lowered his head and took my hand, telling me through his interpreter, “It is an honor to meet you.” Then he grasped Lindsey’s hand, telling him the same: “It is an honor to meet you.”
Then he moved to John McCain. The Sheik bowed deeply, then took both of Senator McCain’s hands in his. “It is a special privilege to meet you, Senator McCain,” and then, alluding to McCain's record as a Navy airman, P.O.W. and upbringing as the son and the grandson of 4-Star Admirals in the Navy, he said. “We know of you and your warrior past and of we know of your proud family of warriors and we respect you".
In that moment, it became clear to me that Senator McCain possessed a currency in this part of the world that transcended titles and position; a currency of immeasurable value that cannot be underestimated and cannot be manufactured.
And this currency could save American lives."
4 comments:
When someone you highly trust endorses someone you do not trust, it makes one pause and reconsider...
Similar to you, I wasn't a big McCain fan (still not, really). He was far down the list of my preferred candidates (although my #1 wasn't even running). I even had to talk to very, VERY angry constituents when my boss came out and publicly endorsed McCain.
That being said, McCain's two strongest points for me (and the main reasons my boss endorsed him) are his committment to finish the job in Iraq, and his committment to fiscal responsibility (which could very well be the greatest long-term threat to the security of our nation).
I am still not for McCain...however I detest Obama.
The Dad...not yours
I believe McCain's final 3 VP choices are:
Pawlenty
Lieberman
and Mike Pence
Out of no where and after some hard grassroots lobbying, the McCain camp is taking a hard look at Pence.Pence has been invited to go with John McCain to California this Saturday to attend the "Saddleback Challenge". If it is the Lord's will, pray for McCain to connect with Pence. If Pence does not impress then expect McCain to pick Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty soon.
Statesman94,
Tell Senator Coburn to keep fighting the good fight and that he is in my Prayers.
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