Jamie

Weinstein

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June 24, 2008

The Speech John McCain Needs to Give

John McCain's general election campaign has gotten off to a rocky start. Despite releasing a strong first campaign ad, McCain's initial speeches have been lacking in style. He would be wise as the campaign moves forward to emphasize not only policy specifics, but his lifetime of service to his country, his patriotism and his optimism for the future. While rhetoric certainly isn't everything, it is important. Here is the type of speech McCain would be wise to deliver:

"My friends, as I speak to you tonight, America stands at a crossroads. We face enormous challenges that are both complex and daunting. As the next pesident enters the White House, he will face a country in need of direction and a world in need of leadership. He will enter in the midst of an era of great global transformation. Make no mistake, the next occupant of the Oval Office will be bestowed with tremendous responsibility and presented with outstanding opportunity to shape America's future in this dawning century.

"Over the last several years, there have been many books published and articles written prophesying the end of the America age. These books tell us that the future belongs to China or India or the European Union. They explain that our best days are behind us, that our future is not as bright as it once was. They tell us that we will have to understand that our current preeminent position in the international arena is quickly fading.

"These prophets of American demise share one glaring commonality: They are wrong. We have heard their tales of gloom and doom before. They were proved wrong in the past and there is no reason to believe they are right now." 

"I promise you this, on my watch the world will see an ascendant America. An America strong and secure. An America confident, resolute and bold. An America generous to its friends, cooperative with its allies and devastating to its enemies.

"No matter how much some want to deny it, or minimize it as a certain Illinois senator seems prone to do, America and the Western world face the greatest threat since the Cold War in Radical Islamic Terrorism. Let me be clear and unequivocal. I see the threat. I understand the threat. And I pledge to you as president I will defeat the threat.

"My whole life has been spent in service to my country. Much has been made of the fact that I will be 72 years old when I enter the White House. As I have said many times before, I am older than dirt and have more scars than Frankenstein, but I have learned a few things along the way. I could have easily retired to live a plush existence surrounded by family and friends in my Arizona home. But it is not in me. It is not in my nature. The sun has not yet set for me.

"This old soldier has one last mission left. One great command that I ask you to allow me to assume before I exit the stage. America's security is the great issue of this election. What happened on Sept. 11 was not an anomaly. Despite our successes in the global war against terror, there are still radicals out there plotting and planning to hit us again.

"Let there be no misunderstanding. I recognize that the road ahead is a challenging one. I know the costs of war. My body testifies to its perils. But I also know why this evil ideology needs to be confronted and defeated. We can win this conflict. We must win this conflict. And we must have a commander in chief who understands that the war against global terrorism is not just another issue on the president's agenda, but the transcendent issue of our time. 

"My opponent is not a bad person. His speeches have inspired many people across this country and for that he should be commended. I think he has a promising political future. But vague excoriations to change and hope don't solve problems. They don't win wars. They can't reinvigorate our economy. And they won't reform America's pressing entitlement challenges.

"To those who seek the type of change that shapes history and men, I ask you to join me. To those who seek the type of hope that inspires generations through great deeds and not empty words, I am your candidate. To those who believe that America's best days are ahead of it and not behind it, I ask you to fight with me.

"Together we can secure America and put it on the path to lead yet another century. We can restore its reputation as that Shining City upon a Hill that we know it is, always has been and with God's blessing will always be."  

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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