9/11 changed a lot of Americans. Dennis Miller, Geraldo Rivera, Pat Tilman, George W. Bush and many others. We can now add John McCain to that list.
The Arizona senator endorsed President Bush this morning in a joint appearance at Washington State's Fort Lewis army base, addressing the gathered troops. The AP story is a bit weak so I transcribed the best from my recording of the live video. Mr. 'Straight Talk' left little doubt how he feels about the war in Iraq and the commander-in-chief:
"It's a big thing, this war - a fight between two ideologies completely opposed to each other. It's a fight between a just regard for human dignity and a malevolent force that defiles an honorable religion by disputing God's love for each and every soul on earth. It's a fight between right and wrong, good and evil. It's no more ambiguous than that.
It's a fight, and should the enemy acquire for their arsenal the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons they seek, this war will become an even bigger thing. It will become a fight for survival.
...
But there is no avoiding this war. America is under attack from a depraved, malevolent force that opposes our every interest and hates every value we hold dear. We have already suffered terrible blows that no American alive today will forget. But we will survive. Our enemies must not.
This war will have many components, but American military power is the most important part. Victory is impossible without it. And anyone who wishes this country harm should not be allowed a doubt about what America can accomplish by force when we exercise it with firm determination to achieve its just ends. The professionalism and power of our armed forces, stronger by many magnitudes than any other nation on earth, is something only a fool would underestimate. When it is brought to bear in great and terrible measure it is a thing to strike terror in the hearts of all who oppose it. No mountain is high enough, no cave deep enough, to hide forever from the fury of American military power when we are committed to unconditional victory. And the victory is to vanquish international terrorism. Not reduce it, not change its operations, not temporarily subdue it, but to vanquish it. It is a difficult task that might at times temporarily affect other interests unfavorably. That cannot always be helped, for we cannot make victory on the battlefield more difficult to achieve so that our diplomacy is easier to conduct. While intelligence, law enforcement and diplomacy are all important components of our strategy, none is more important than the honorable and dangerous work that is yours.
The man I introduce you today understands this, and understands it very, very well. He heard the call to action on that terrible morning in September and summoned the rest of us to this long and difficult task. He has led this country with moral clarity about the stakes involved, and with firm resolve to achieve unconditional victory. There have been ups and downs as there are in any war, but like you he has not wavered in his determination to protect this country and to make the world a better, safer, freer place. You will not yield, nor will he.
McCain's delivery was forceful, yet stilted and perhaps reflecting unfamiliarity with the text. I had the impression on second viewing that his speech may have been written by White House staffers rather than his own, but the message was clear: "I'm staying put right here on my own team - the president's team - the winning team."
Perhaps this will finally be enough to end Democrat fantasies of a genuine war hero on their presidential ticket, but somehow I doubt it.
Posted by JohnGalt at June 18, 2004 01:25 PMThis was great. I never know what to make of Senator McCain. I so admire his national service in the Navy -- and most of his service in Congress. He makes the best speeches in the GOP since Alan Keyes stopped running.
Yet he fights the White House, and joins forces with RINOs Chafee, Snowe and Collins to fight tax cuts.
He did get 100 points from me for turning down Senator Kerry's ticket. That would have been a potent combination. As Kerry's VP, it's probably only some time before some rich heiress murders him, and McCain could be President. Like I said, a great sacrifice.
Dont misunderestimate Kerry-Edwards this fall. That's the potent combo.
Posted by: AlexC at June 18, 2004 08:13 PMKerry-Edwards' most potent effect would be to show that the Dems picked the wrong man to top the ticket. Two big government eastern liberal Senators aren't better than one, even if one of them IS charismatic.
I think JK was right to fear the Kerry-McCain team. The damage from the defection of a Republican senator well liked by the mainstream media would have been devastating.
Posted by: johngalt at June 22, 2004 08:36 AM