John Berman has been at ABC since 1995, and allowed to appear on television since 2001. He covered the 2008 campaign extensively, following John McCain and Mitt Romney during the primaries and then Barack Obama in the general election. He also spent more than 20 months chasing George W. Bush around the country as a producer from 1999 until 2001, earning the clever nickname, "Pain in the Ass," from our 43rd president. He is a frequent and sometimes welcome contributor to all of ABC's broadcasts.
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McCain's Moment: Biography in Search of a Theme
September 05, 2008 12:16 AM
Sen. John McCain tonight made his play for the support of a nation that’s ready for change -- by introducing the public to the new party he intends to lead.
It was a speech largely devoid of overarching themes -- defined as much by its mundane qualities as by its vision.
“Fight,” McCain declared and promised, again and again, offering his unique biography as testament. “Fight with me.”
The speech’s emotional core was McCain’s personal story, told with a level of details he’s largely avoided in public settings. “I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's,” he said.
It contained only hints of the battle to come with Barack Obama; for a night, he let subtlety reign -- for the most part.
“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 as long as I draw breath, so help me God,” he said, in one of his few overt tweaks of his opponent.
But as his choice of running mates made clear, his is a Republican Party that wants desperately to believe in itself again. McCain made only passing attempts to appeal to those sentiments.
This was John McCain’s convention, of course, but it may long be remembered as Sarah Palin’s. And as the race moves into its final 60 days, McCain is asking an awful lot of his running mate.
September 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (57)
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McCain has Bush's eight-year record to stand on as he proudly claims he has supported it over 90% of the time.
He certainly will not present the Republican Party Platform developed by his Bush advisors, oil and other corporations, neocons, Evangelical fundamentalist pastors and elders.
By accepting their nomination, he is bound to honor it.
He didn't mention it. It is best kept a secret from the American people.
Otherwise, he would lose in a landslide.
Posted by: susan | Sep 5, 2008 5:22:59 AM
What a lightweight speech. Fight, fight, fight. So he's a POW - we knew that, respect that. But what's he gonna do once elected? His economic policy seems to be to cut taxes - that's becoming a 'one trick pony' for the conservatives. It was a good idea with Reagan but Bush has taken it to its logical extreme. How can McCain cut more? Palin looks to be an up and coming conservative talent - but is she ready to be President "on day one'? His 'zingers' were fun, but we could use some substance.
Posted by: darklight46 | Sep 5, 2008 6:04:41 AM
McCain or as Tom Ridge refers to him "John Bush" wants your sons and daughters to join the military. If he's elected, they will be joining the military through the draft.
Posted by: Trish | Sep 5, 2008 6:10:16 AM
ALL THESE YEARS HE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING CHANGE BUT HAS BACKED BUSH ALL THE WAY. HOW COME NOW? COPY CAT WITH EMPTY PROMISES.
Posted by: lucinda | Sep 5, 2008 6:19:51 AM
Why has the media attempted to make such a big story out of Palin. Basically all she did was read a speech, written by a Karl Rove hitman, after practicing it for nearly a week. I can not wait to see when the National Enquirer is proved to be right as it was with Edwards.
Posted by: jim | Sep 5, 2008 6:30:09 AM
McCaiN/Palin " ALL SIZZLE& NO STAEK """
I DONT NEED TO SAY ANY MORE !!!
Posted by: Dan A | Sep 5, 2008 6:37:38 AM
McCain's message. My party has wrecked the country for eight years. I supported Bush like a lap-dog. I picked a wacko Vice-President. Vote for me.
Posted by: Bob | Sep 5, 2008 6:59:13 AM
2006: McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time.
2007: McCain voted with Bush 95% of the time.
2008: McCain has voted with Bush 100% of the time.
John McCain sold out every principle he once had to tie himself to the most unpopular, most failed president in American history. We don't need 4 more years of Bush.
Posted by: elodieStClair | Sep 5, 2008 7:09:41 AM
A "maverick" is a Democrat who puts an R next to his name.
Posted by: argh! | Sep 5, 2008 7:11:53 AM
change....the only change I see coming with the McCain/Palen ticket is 4 more years of change in the pockets of big business and oil companies. McCain is a clueless old man with no clear path to put food on the table and gas in the car for American family's. Palen is nothing more than a pitbull (her words) and a bully who is knee deep in oil and scandal, a ruse by the republicans because her only real qualification is that she is a woman. She is a slap in the face and insult to all women.
Posted by: Lisa | Sep 5, 2008 7:12:09 AM
DECENT AMERICAN:
You exposed yourself for the ignorant person you are!!!
You are full of it!!!!
Posted by: Shay | Sep 5, 2008 7:18:27 AM
DEBRA:
What planet did you hatch from?
Posted by: Shay | Sep 5, 2008 7:19:39 AM
For those of you who are now gloating over Cindy McCain your heads are in the clouds.
Here is a fifty-something year old woman who looks like she is 60-something. What has she done? Oh, yeah, her life is so sad she inherited her fathers fortune and forgets she has a half-sister. When asked she says she is an only child. The mind is the first thing to go!
Cindy McCain is not someone I want living next to me!
Posted by: Shay | Sep 5, 2008 7:24:15 AM
twenty six years in government with the status quo---and when he hears obamas platforf he tries to adopt it as his own---sorry mccain we wont be lied to again----and your palin dfistraction will not take the focus off you------just some more propaganda from you.
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 7:49:57 AM
mccain is nothing less than a super parrot
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 7:52:49 AM
i think it is disgusting how the repubs are blaming the press for their lame candidate mccain-----what a joke
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 7:59:20 AM
As a moderate-leaning Democrat, what impresses me about John McCain is that he always says what he thinks, whether people agree or not. That's what he did last night. You rarely hear a candidate criticize his own party in a convention acceptance speech. I contrast that with Senator Obama, who says exactly what he thinks people want to hear. I was also impressed by Cindy McCain, whose class and grace contrasts sharply with Obama's American-hating wife. I had made up my mind to vote for McCain a long time ago. This convention only strengthened my resolve.
Posted by: Nina Foster | Sep 5, 2008 8:00:08 AM
"I believe in being prepared for the job you do"
Palin/McCain 08
Posted by: alex | Sep 5, 2008 8:01:31 AM
is there any women out there who do not realize what mccain is tryting to do---i think his thinking that women are that dumb is ludacrice---has to be an absolute insult.
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 8:04:42 AM
Lots of paid Obama bloggers out in force today. More and more saturation of the Internet in the next 60 days. Fear not, Republicans. Not all Democrats have boarded the Obama train wreck. Lots of us don't trust Obama, and can't stand his mean-spirited wife. The "experts" keep saying all the Hillary supporters will line up behind Obama. I'm one of those Hillary supporters, and so are most of my friends. We know better than that.
Posted by: Carrie | Sep 5, 2008 8:06:45 AM
HOW DO YOU ALL FEEL THAT OUR KIDS ARE STILL BEING KILLED IN IRAQ-------AND THE CHINESE ARE REBUILDING OIL INFRASTRUCTURE----AND GETTING THE OIL---
OVER 4 THGOUSAND DEAD COUNTLESS MAIMED----BILLIONS ON DOLLARS OF OUR MONEY-----ALL FOR ----CHINA-----NEVER AGAIN YOU BRAINLESS REPUBS
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 8:08:48 AM
KEEP MY LAST POST AS A REMINDER---WHEN YOU HEAR BOMB BOMB BOMB IRAN---AND THAT WE ARE ALL GEORGIANS TODAY--FROM MCCAIN THINK OF THE PRICE WE WILL PAY AGAIN --AND FOR WHAT -----NO LIES HERE JUST LIVING AND DEAD TRUTH
GOODBY
Posted by: rodney | Sep 5, 2008 8:31:39 AM
My mother’s neighbor said she was contacted by a pollster and told him she was voting for Obama because she “didn’t want any trouble with those people.” I know for a fact she’s lying – her and my mom are voting McCain when they’ve been Democrats there entire lives. If you care for this country the way Barak does, you better get out and vote on Nov 5 because the Midol set is gonna FLOOD THE POLLS just to vote against the black guy.
Posted by: Riley, Chicago, IL | Sep 5, 2008 8:53:46 AM
How could anyone critisize John Mccain's POW experience? How un-American you all are! Come on people, do you really want to elect a guy for President that Hollywood and the Media chose? After the cameras stop rolling and the lights go out, there are REAL decisions to be made. It's not just about how well you read a well-written speech. There are no "re-takes" and any "bloopers" could end the world as we know it. You know, Oprah launched Obama's career and what a bunch of followers you dems are! Palin has gotten a lot of criticism for her pit-bull comment, but, if I had to choose a dog to run our country I would much rather have a pit-bull than some pocket-pooch found by Oprah.
Posted by: Kathleen | Sep 5, 2008 9:02:24 AM
McCain vows to "change Washington"
After being there over thirty years he finally figured this out?
Posted by: Talk is Cheap | Sep 5, 2008 9:05:12 AM
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