Onward to Victory!!!(and home to delco)

The atmosphere was electric. The vibe was intense. Expectations were high and the Pa. delegation had a front row seat! The reshaped stage moved the Ohio delegation to the side and left us with a birds eye view.

Former Governor Tom Ridge warmed up the crowd pointing out how his friend John McCain was a true American hero. While Cindy McCain, in her first major speech, detailed her upbringing and why she felt her husband was worthy of the trust of the American people.

Then it was finally time for the main event. After a moving video tribute highlighting his life, John McCain took to the stage amidst deafening applause. He embarked on a speech that highlighted his how his life experiences shaped his values and judgments. How he came to love his country in the prison of a foreign land and how he knew that peace in America would only come through strength.

If people want change in government, if they want reform, John McCain’s speech made it clear that he and Governor Sarah Palin deserve the vote of the American people.
In Congress, John McCain has been a consistent and vocal voice against pork barrel spending and government waste. McCain has been such a strong advocate against earmarks and wasteful spending that he earned the ire of his fellow Members of Congress who feed at the federal trough funded by taxpayer dollars. He was the author of campaign finance reform to cut the influence of special interests and lobbyists. Sarah Palin blew the whistle of Republicans in her own party for ethics violations. She used the Governor’s veto to cut more than half a billion dollars in wasteful spending in Alaska alone. And she defeated the sitting Republican Governor on platform of reform and rooting out corruption.

Both McCain and Palin have proven records of working in a bi-partisan manner and reaching across the aisle to work with Democrats to institute reforms and implement policy change. In contrast, Barack Obama had the most liberal voting record of any Senator in 2007. That is not leadership, that is playing to the left wing base of his own party. We need someone in the White House who will unite the parties and the American people. With their bi-partisan approach and a record of reform and integrity, it is clear that John McCain and Sarah Palin will get things done in Washington. They will back up their campaign promises with real results.

John McCain’s closing was immensely powerful and a call on the American people to unite. I don’t know that the media will quote it word for word so I include it here:

“I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what’s right for our country.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children’s future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.”

This experience was a dream comes true for me. I would like to thank the Republican men and women of Delaware County for the privilege of representing them here in Minneapolis. I will bring a wealth of new experiences and viewpoints back home tomorrow along with the enthusiasm necessary to propel the McCain/Palin ticket to victory. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Daily Times for the opportunity to share my experience.