McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
By Kevin Canessa Jr.
September 05, 2008
Keywords: John McCain, president, Republican National Convention, diversity issues, election, vote, Republican, senator, convention
He spoke, at great length, about being held by the North Vietnamese for five years. At one point, he said, he had an opportunity to get out after his captors realized who his father was.
He passed on that chance, refusing to cave in.
John McCain accepted the GOP's nomination last night and brought tears to the eyes of many at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. But how did McCain address the issues?
For the most part, he spoke vaguely about most issues. Here's how he addressed topics that are important to readers of DiversityInc.
On affordable education
McCain, unlike Obama, didn't address how the federal government would grant greater access to affordable education--on any level. However, he did say he'd prefer giving parents school choice in failing school districts. Traditionally, those matters are governed by each state and local school districts.
"Education is the civil-rights issue of this century. Equal access to public education has been gained. But what is the value of access to a failing school?" McCain said. "We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice, remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work.
"When a public school fails to meet its obligations to students, parents deserve a choice in the education of their children. And I intend to give it to them. Some may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private one. Many will choose a charter school. But they will have that choice and their children will have that opportunity.
"Sen. Obama wants our schools to answer to unions and entrenched bureaucracies. I want schools to answer to parents and students. And when I'm president, they will."
On providing affordable healthcare to everyone
McCain's healthcare plan differs greatly from Obama's. Instead of providing universal healthcare to all Americans, McCain instead supports finding ways to enable more Americans to shop for a healthcare plan that best suits their needs--and to pay for it on their own. Social medicine, he insists, is prescription for disaster.
"My healthcare plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good healthcare insurance," McCain said. "[Obama's] plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages and force families into a government-run healthcare system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor."
On family leave and bankruptcy laws
McCain addressed neither issue.
On gay rights
While most in the GOP--most notably former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee--made it clear that they think marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman, McCain did not address this hot-button issue. On the issue in the past, McCain has made it clear he believes each state should determine its own definition of marriage, not the federal government.
On immigration
McCain did not address immigration in his acceptance speech.
America's morale
McCain was one of the few at the GOP convention to address the country's failing economy. However, he offered no specific solutions to the problem.
"These are tough times for many of you," McCain said. "You're worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home. All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that's just what I intend to do: Stand on your side and fight for your future."
On tax cuts to the wealthy & promoting small businesses
In his speech last week, Barack Obama discussed how he would lower taxes for 95 percent of the struggling working class--and he also discussed how he'd give more incentives to entrepreneurs and small-business owners. McCain refuted Obama's words by saying an Obama administration would lead to a large tax increase.
"I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can," McCain said. "My opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them. I will cut government spending. He will increase it. My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them."
Odds and ends
As was the case on most issues, McCain did not offer specific methods he would use to implement his proposed program. The greatest portion of his speech--and the convention itself--focused on his service to the U.S. Navy and the time he spent as a prisoner of war.
McCain also addressed his selection of Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential candidate.
"And I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska," McCain said. "She has executive experience and a real record of accomplishment. She's tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption. She's balanced a budget, cut taxes, and taken on the special interests. She's reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and Independents to serve in her administration. She's the mother of five children. She's helped run a small business, worked with her hands and knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments and healthcare and the cost of gasoline and groceries."
Click here to read the entire text of McCain's speech to the RNC.
Readers' Comments
Posted: Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
Just a few questions: Did anyone pay secial attention to the DIVERSITY represented at the Republican Convention considering this medium? Does this slice truly represent the needs and goals of the most diverse country on the planet?...where race, color,religious, ability and sexual discrimination are rampant? Congratulations for finally joining the game and letting a woman have a shot (even if it is the wrong one). Why is it wrong for 2 men 2 marry or to give a rape victim a choice.. but OK for more than one religion to exist and to slaughter a cow and devour its flesh? Who makes these rules ! And what of the furture? Do the goals and policies of this party represent the EVOLUTION of this country and the future of its children? When someone refuses to talk with a self-annointed member of the "Axis of Evil", are they sure that everyone else agrees that this person or people belong in that club?
James Yeager
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Posted: Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
I can't believe that in this day of diviserty that the GOP still promotes the issue of dividing people with slander, lies and out right hate. Carl Rove deserves to be put in jail for all the things he's done within the Bush adminstration. American people need to stand up against this polorizing party. I will vote for Barak Obama to lead this county in another direction. Anyone that has any idea what McCain intends to do should realize that he is a war mongel he will go into Iran. Do we need another war?
Amina Al-Amin
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Posted: Monday, Sep 08, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
I think McCain is doing a good job to prevent the Socialism that Obama speaks of, which limits freedoms to ALL people. This was a good article highlighting McCains points. I'd like to see an article like this about Obama. Diversity Inc is usually very liberal, biased and unfair so it was good to see this article for the masses to view.
Jessica Cowles
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Posted: Saturday, Sep 06, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
McCain in the Saddleback so-called "faith forum" and the Republican National Convention had the convenience of going second. Rick Warren could not verify with Rick Sanchez of CNN whether McCain was in a " Get Smart cone of silence," and he performed as if he'd been briefed on Obama's responses. Similarly, he had the advantage of going second after the DNC. If Obama had picked Hillary: Mitt Romney? Kay-Bailey Hutchinson? My guess is that he would not need Sarah Palin to "fire up the base" because they would have lined up to cast their votes more AGAINST Hillary than for McCain. Being a Christian, I have nothing against personal faith, but this litmus test that other countries don't use puts us last in education - promoting creationism in the science classroom rather than Sunday school, doubting the effects of global warming when scientists don't put their reputations on studies lightly, restricting a woman's right to choose - pro-life is ONE choice, and placing us on the path to endless wars and financial ruin. Eric Blair known by the pen name George Orwell said it best in "1984": "War is peace." "Freedom is slavery." "Ignorance is strength."
The Griot Poet
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Posted: Friday, Sep 05, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
Obama spoke of the tragedy of the many homeless veterans in our communities. Did McCain offer any hope that he would look out for the needs of our returning veterans? As a demonstration of the new commitment to caring of the government, is McCain advocating the mandatory evaculation of the residents along the east coast, a majority of whom happen to be white?
Arthur Meserve
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Posted: Friday, Sep 05, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
I have to take issue with some of the comments that you seem to be touting. Sen. Obama's claims to cut taxes for 95% of the struggling working class is an empty statement. Those truly struggling, that is below a certain income level are paying NO income taxes. From there taxes are graduated upward, enabling those at slightly higher incomes (above the poverty level but still struggling) to pay very little in the way of taxes. As you readership, who are primarily working, productive, accountable citizens, we are fully aware that we bear the burden of the taxes, we support those less fortunate through govt. programs and our charity donations of money and time,we need someone who is trying to put money back in our pockets to stimulate the economy. We do not need superfluous claims of reducing taxes for those who don't pay taxes - that has no benefit, no impact on the economy, it makes no sense. Diversity Inc., you need to fairly represent all sides and not try to be too liberal - it's offensive to many. I don't think that's your intent - to be one-sided, hypocritical and prejudicial. Let's strive for a little more balance and objectivity in all of your e-mails, commentary, news coverage. You need it to retain your readership. Otherwise, so many of those who support you and subscribe, will send your messages to their junk mail. I used to do that for quite some time as I found the headlines and content blatantly offensive and off-color. Thanks for your attention to this. I just felt it was important to share some of these thoughts after having been a subscriber and one who coordinated subscriptions for an entire corporation's management teams for a couple of years. Response from Luke Visconti, Partner and Cofounder of DiversityInc Thank you for your email. I'm afraid I don't believe you're correct. The situation is much more complicated than you're positioning it to be. Here's a good explanation, along with some interesting commentary from readers: Would Obama give 95 percent of us a tax break? Here's another chart - which is poorly done - but you can see that taxes do go down for 95% of households under Senator Obama's plan. Obama and McCain Tax Proposals Further, your claim of "no benefit to the economy" is also up for interpretation. I would think that the definition of "very little" is subject to your economic status - and that the impact of higher energy, health insurance/health care and food costs (which have not been adequately measured in government inflation numbers) is causing great pain in the majority of households in this country. In sum, 95% may be stretching a point, but it is not incorrect.
T S
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Posted: Friday, Sep 05, 2008
McCain Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination
McCain has it wrong on civil rights. Civil Rights are about individual rights; namely, the right to control your body (choice) which is something the Republicans (especially Sarah) want to take away, and the right to marry the person you love. It was within my young lifetime that skin color affected the right of marriage. In 50 years we will look back with amazement at the people that worried about the genitalia that people had and whether people should be permitted to marry. And what of people maimed through accident or born without or with both genitalia? How do you determine them as a man or a woman? Can they not love another person? Why should they be denied the legal rights that come with marriage? Are not all humans created equal? Tell me again, what is the civil rights issue of this century?
Sean Murphy
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