Hope

No one truly knows how a president will be until they have sat in office for a few years.  No one knows the actions they will take or the decisions they will make.  So, all we can really do is have hope.  Hope that we chose the right president that will stick to his promises.  Hope that the future president will lead us out of these bad economic times.  Hope that the president will do overall good for the American people. John McCain’s acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention, effectively provided hope that John McCain will be a great president.

Throughout the speech, John McCain was trying to connect with his audience.  In his speech, John McCain would always refer to his audiences as friends.  He was trying to connect with his listeners on a more personal level.  John McCain is using the “common man” political tactic.  He wants his audience and followers to feel like they really are friends.  That he is not greater or better than anyone, but is just a common American.  This political tactic was very useful. Americans want a president that will stick to his word and do what is best for the people.  Americans want a president who they can relate to. He also refers back to his seven children and his lovely wife who loves and cares for.  He wants Americans to know that he too is a family man.  Senator McCain is going to help families that are in need. Later on in his speech John McCain announces specific families that in bad times, but reassures them that help is on the way and each family is of great importance.  I strongly believe John McCain keep to his word and do what is best for the American people. He will fulfill the promises he has and perform the necessary duties to be a great American president.

John McCain’s qualities and characteristics will make him a successful president.  Toward the beginning of his speech, John McCain pays his respects to current president, George W. Bush, and first lady, Linda Bush, for their actions and contributions while in the White House. This sincere act demonstrates John McCain’s respecting and appreciative character.  John McCain also courageously and confidently gives his respects and admirations to Senator Obama.  John McCain recites that although Barrack Obama and himself have totally opposing political views, they are more alike than different in that they are both Americans.  The American people don’t want a president that will only do what is best for his party, but who act and make decisions in the interest of America.  He is a man that wants to unite and boost the American moral in tough times.  John McCain’s greatest characteristic is his fighter’s mentality.  John McCain was a POW and nearly died.  Everyday was a constant fight for survival mentally and physically.  When he broke both of his arms and one of his legs, two fellow American POWs helped feed him in order for him to survive.  I don’t know a tougher fighter than battling for your life.  To tolerate extremely mentally tough times while also enduring physical anguish. This is why John McCain will strive to get America out of its current predicaments.  Just as those POWs saved Senator McCain’s life, he wants to aid Americans that are in hard times.  John McCain realizes the privilege and opportunity that has been bestowed upon him and will rise to the occasion by fighting a greater America.

The use of repetition and listing was very effective in John McCain speech.  Throughout his speech, Senator McCain provides lists and repetition of phrases to strengthen his words.  The lists and repetition built momentum every time he would go on a rant; which then boost the spirits of his audience. The entire speech was a momentum builder up until the end of the speech when the audience burst into celebration. It was a strategic approach because it riled up the audience while also being very persuasive.  The more he recited, the more trust and belief you had in him as America’s future president.

 John McCain’s speech was a light of hope.  His speech gave American people confidence that he would make a great president.  He is a president for the people and a president that will fight for what is right.  He is a respectful man and a loyal man that will stick to his word.  He is a man prepared to face anything thrown at him.  He is a man of hope.

Lies

The American people do not know how to choose a president.  We currently have a “retarded cowboy” (Russell Brand) as our president and we have paid for it.  We are currently in one of the worst economic times in American history, gas prices are at the highest they ever been, and we are in a war.  Who says that the 2008 presidential candidates will do any better? I don’t blame the citizens for choosing “great” presidents, because presidential candidates are full of false hopes and promises.  The whole election process is a gimmick and a show.  It’s basically a game on who can develop the best reputation.  It is no longer about the issues and ideas, but about campaigning and appearance.  John McCain is one such presidential candidate who is putting on a “show.” John McCain’s acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention is full of unfulfilling promises and a hoax.

            Us as the American people are so gullible.  Of course any candidate is going to give a speech saying everything great about themselves and how they’re going to make America better.  It’s common sense!  Yet, every time we fall for their promises and ideas hoping that one -day they will act on what they say.  We elected President Bush for a second term, now we are counting down the days until he leaves.  John McCain, in his speech, says how he respects and admires Barrack Obama and his supporters.  Of course he is going to say that. It is all a political game to raise his reputation.  Yet, most Americans are probably saying what a respecting character he has.  He also respectably thanks George and Linda Bush for their efforts.  Efforts? What did President Bush do that was memorable besides creating Patriot’s Day? McCain is probably like every other American in their mind saying “Get this ‘retarded cowboy’ out of here.”  A presidential candidate can say whatever seems pleasing to the American people, because the masses are asses.

            John McCain later goes on in his speech talking about his time as a POW and how he is a better because of it.  Once again trying to build up his character.  I have full respect for POWs, but it was total reach out for sympathy votes.  He starts talking about how both of his arms and one of his legs were broken and how other POWs fed him and basically saved his life.  He could of just talked about how it made him a fighter and built his character.  John McCain also talks about his wife and kids. He wants America to know he is a family man. That is understood. What I didn’t understand was why he continuously rambled on about his wife always being there for him and that she is his better half. Once again trying to snag those sympathy votes and developing that reputation.  I guess every vote counts right? Better to get votes reciting your autobiography rather than talking about those lame issues.  America’s economy is not failing or anything. 

            John McCain goes on annoying streaks reciting a laundry list of ideal and concepts.  He first goes on saying everything he believes in.  Well of course he says all the major concepts of the Republican platform. After saying how much he respects Obama, he then bashes Obama completely.  He lists all the great things he will do for America, followed by cheers, then would say all the horrible things Obama is going to do, followed by booing.  That reputation is surely a huge part in becoming president.  They obviously have different views, but who has the better ideas? It is just common sense that everything he is going to say is going to be right sided.  His lastly rambles on about all the things he’s going to fight for.  I respect this last part because he does talk about this issues and what he is going to do about them.  What I didn’t like was how he repeatedly recited the phrase “I am going to fight for….” over and over again.  What John McCain didn’t do was say anything negative about himself.  It almost makes him see unreal and too perfect.  That he is going to come into office and make America a paradise once more.  I feel that when a president says something negative about themselves it humanizes them. Thus, I am more likely to trust in what they are saying and promising. 

            Before believing into the speech, consider the past.  Did president Bush do everything he promised?  John McCain won’t be any different. It is a total scheme, to give Americans hope for a better future.  Any person with a lot of money can be nominated by their party and stand up their talking about how great they are, what great thing they can do for American, and how their life makes them a suitable candidate. I say all politicians are liars to some degree, so go with the candidates who shares common ideals with you.  You are never going to get a candidate that is going to fulfill all their promises.  John McCain speech is a ramble of lies and deceit.