If you were looking to know about Sen. John McCain and his admirable service to his country, Thursday night’s speech was the perfect opportunity. The republican presidential nominee went to great lengths to engrave his war credentials and service to the country on people’s hearts, as he played on his new theme, ‘Country First’. 

Prefacing and ending his speech with his prisoner of war story in Hanoi, a theme on which the Republican nominee rests much of his presidential bid, McCain took the audience through his grueling experience of torture as a POW and said he discovered his intense love for country during that time.

In between the rhetoric, McCain attempted to wrestle away Sen. Barack Obama’s theme of change, presenting himself as the candidate of change. He went through a litany of things he will do, starting with shaking up Washington, moving towards energy independence and reforming the education and healthcare systems. 

But what was noticeably missing from his speech, were specifics as to how he plans to accomplish any of the ideas he put forward. To his credit, the speech was moving and riveting as he passionately walked his audience through his ideas and ideals for the country.

Whether this will translate into winning over undecided voters remains to be seen. But one thing is sure, his speech though lacking real substance regarding the pressing concerns, was truly patriotic and may very well overshadow the real issues.

What also stood in stark contrast to the loud and caustic speakers from the previous night, like Gov. Mike Huckabee, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Gov. Sarah Palin, was McCain’s soft tone, which seemed sincere as he spoke about working towards the highest office in the land.

McCain also paid homage to President Bush for “leading us through these dark days from worst attack on our country,” in reference to the September 11th terrorist attacks. Bush, noticeably absent from the Convention, has been an obstacle for McCain, since the president is at his lowest in popularity rating and much of the country’s current problems happened on his watch.

Drill, Drill, Drill

McCain promised that as president he would produce more domestic energy “by drilling offshore and doing it now” adding that he will use all resources to restore America’s economy and show the world how the country can lead again.

The Republican presidential nominee extended his respect to his rival, and using a classic Obama line said that he and Obama have more that unites them than divides them.

“All you’ve ever ask of government is to stand on your side and not in your way” he told the audience, as he launched into a number of differences between himself and Obama as it pertains to moving the country forward.

McCain said he believes in “rewarding hard work and letting people keep the fruits of their labor,” an obvious rebuff to Obama’s plan to tax the wealthiest in the country. 

“I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can,” he said to rousing applause. He also ridiculed Obama’s Universal healthcare plan which he said will "put a bureaucrat between you and your doctor."
Touting himself as a Maverick, McCain said he was someone who marches to the beat of his own drum, who fought corruption and held both democrats and republicans accountable. He alluded to his practice of reaching across the aisle to get things done and promised he would continue in this vein.

However, this attempt at unity was scoffed at by Democrats like former 1998 presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, who said that McCain really has no control over his party, since up to his speech the convention was largely divisive, especially those fromGiuliani and Palin.

McCain admitted that the Republicans have failed to uphold the party’s legacy, citing that “We were elected to change Washington but Washington changed us.” He said they were the “party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan” and promised to “go back to basics”.

The speech, though it focused briefly on some of his plans, spent much time setting himself up as the man who was sent to serve, and whose service should ultimately put him over the top.

There was no response from Obama to McCain’s speech up to press time, but Sen. Hillary Clinton in a brief comment, said that after listening to all the speeches, her slightly amended conclusion is “No way, no how, no McCain –Palin.”