McCain's Speech More Than a Speech
By J. Grant Swank Jr. (09/06/08)
John McCain’s address to the convention was more than a speech. It was a life impress.
There is no logic in trying to compare his delivery style with any other speakers at the Republican Convention or the Democrat Convention.
It’s not really about style comparison. Yet that is as far as some critics have gone following McCain’s speech. They deliberate regarding his pauses, a supposed glitch or two, his soft-spoken sentences on occasion.
All of that is superficial assessment. What is truly significant is that McCain’s speech was about a serving life span over years.
It was very important for the Convention to portray John McCain from childhood through the seven decades, focusing on what molded his persona.
Regarding any human being at 72 years of age, it’s always easy to write-off that person as “too old” or whatever. It is also not easy to discover what actually lies beneath the physical image.
McCain’s delivery at the Convention was portrayed in film and verbiage. They both picture a man who has given his life in service to America, just as he stated.
Why does a person have to make such an obvious statement at age 72? It is because it’s not written on his forehead. It’s not visible to the younger generation. It’s simply not evident at a glance.
I am 69. When I walk into a store and pay for a purchase, chatting briefly with the clerk, what does that clerk know about me? Nothing really.
I look 69, not 39. And so I am accepted by that clerk as a near-70 man who simply bought something at the store.
When I meet a new friend, say, someone who has been friends with my daughter out-of-state, that new friend has no idea who I am. We greet. We smile. We exchange some superficial opinions. But as far as who I am, that individual has no idea. And no doubt that individual does not at all care.
But I know that I am more than the near-70 impression I convey. I am almost seven decades of experiences wrapped up in a human body. Many of those experiences and lessons actually are quite fascinating.
But who would know?
Therefore, when John McCain runs for the presidency, it’s not enough for us to see him now at his age. It is strategic that we get the bio scan from the start to the present.
Thankfully, that is what “his speech” was about at the Convention. And knowing the detail of his bio scan, all I can say is that I was immensely overwhelmed.
Therefore, when he stated that he serves America, not for self but for us, I believed him. When he blamed DC for its elected population of opportunists, I believed him. When he scolded the do-nothings seated in Congressional chairs, I believed him.
His life - the scars especially - should be real-life real-time proof that this man delivers not only a Convention speech in his own style. He delivers a life of service, not to a party or himself, but to his country.
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