by Frank James
William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, has an incisive critique of Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech from Thursday night. It's worth reading since it captures what he calls "the McCain paradox."
The paradox includes this: that McCain sounded the trumpet for bipartisanship but has been following a very partisan strategy, including his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate, a move designed to excite the Republican conservative base.
And while McCain called for new approaches as the nation pushes deeper into the 21st Century, a lot of what he offered could be described as warmed over Bushism.
It's a paradox that could make it very difficult for McCain to govern if he's elected. And what McCain offers may be this year's version of George W. Bush's "I'm a uniter, not a divider" theme of 2000. We all know how that turned out.
The McCain Paradox by William Galston
John McCain delivered an honorable but paradoxical acceptance speech. He made a heartfelt appeal for an end to rancor and had gracious words for Barack Obama. He pledged to reach out his hand to any willing patriot and to include independents and Democrats in his administration. On the other hand, he had allowed his campaign to choreograph a convention that was filled with highly charged personal attacks against the Democratic nominee, and his vice presidential selection seemed calculated to mobilize rather than to expand his party.
The paradox extended to substance as well. McCain spoke eloquently about the need to retool policies and institutions created before the end of the Cold War and the rise of the global economy. But the substantive proposals he listed were less than forward-looking. His economic agenda was the familiar mantra of smaller government, less spending, lower taxes and open markets. His education agenda focused on school choice, which George W. Bush set aside in 2001 to forge a bipartisan agreement on the No Child Left Behind Act. This apparently minor detail symbolizes a larger problem: there was little in McCain's agenda to create a foundation for the bipartisanship he seeks. It is not easy to see how he would deal effectively with what is certain to be a Democratic Congress, or how he would break the gridlock he deplores. It is likely, rather, that he would have to redeem his pledge to use his veto pen, over and over again.
Still, McCain did manage to underscore themes that he will likely promote relentlessly during the fall campaign: he is a maverick who will put country above party, a Republican who will tell his own party that it has lost its way, a patriot who will put service ahead of self-interest. And rather than contrasting his experience to Obama's shorter track-record, he focused instead on the change he wants to bring to Washington and on his capacity, based on his experience, to bring it about. He argued that whatever we need to do, we can't get it done as long as government remains ineffective and corrupt--a claim with considerable resonance at a time when public trust in government is nearing its historic low. Above all, McCain understood that, to win this election, he would have to rebut the charge that he was running for "George Bush's third term," and he worked hard to give himself and his party a new beginning.
No doubt the most compelling part of McCain's speech was his detailed account of his captivity in North Vietnam--and of the spiritual changes he had undergone. While heartfelt, this also served a strategic purpose. The McCain campaign understands that its candidate has a better chance of winning a contest over character than over issues. He presented himself as a man tested by adversity and strengthened by long service--in short, a safe choice for uncertain times.
Obama's challenge, then, is to make enough Americans comfortable with the idea of him as president so that the forces underlying this year's contest come to the fore. A troubled economy, an unpopular war, an electorate that believe by 4 to1 that America is on the wrong track, an incumbent president with near-record low approval ratings, a large Democratic advantage in party identification, fundraising, and grassroots organizing--these and other factors point to an Obama victory. It is a testament to McCain's personal appeal--and to the uncertainty Obama has not yet dispelled--that the race remains as close as it is.
• 
• 
• 
Comments
This has been my point. He claims to want to reach across the aisle, and gives us the far right religious Jihad. He just assumed women would vote for her because....she is a women. When his pick runs counter to everything women are for...it is a slap in the face. Country first my aunt fanny. There were many qualified women on the right but he figured this way he could also rev up the Jihadists. he really doesn't give women much credit.
Posted by: bill r. | September 7, 2008 3:14 PM
Hey Frank James, I think Grampy McBush is getting thirsty, why don't you go refill some water bottles for him?
Typical McCain speech:
------------------------
"Surge, Drill, POW, my friends".....rinse and repeat
------------------------
Triumph the Insult Dog gives better analysis than almost anything on cable news, better than anything on the Sunday shows.
Triumph the Insult Dog does the GOP convention:
.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=511_1220605235
.
Posted by: Sweet Homies Live On! | September 7, 2008 3:19 PM
It is a testament to McCain's personal appeal? I think it is more likely that people are unsure about putting their lives in the hands of those that wish to expand governments role in our everyday lives. The Gallup Daily shows now that McCain and company are in the lead by 2 points. Hardly significant but at http://www.boppoll.com. McCain has a clear lead and a more motivated base. The uncertainty the Obama cannot dispel may be his lack of record other than having come from one of the most entrenched party machines in the country.
Posted by: acarponzo | September 7, 2008 3:31 PM
###
Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?
We WONT.
###
Posted by: PulSamsara | September 7, 2008 3:37 PM
More paradoxes from Fact-Check.org.
Planet Plans
Finally, we note that McCain and the Republican delegates applied a different standard to the Republican nominee's lofty rhetoric than they did to Obama's.
McCain drew applause with this line:
McCain: We must use all resources and develop all technologies necessary to rescue our economy from the damage caused by rising oil prices and restore the health of our planet.
The previous evening, however, McCain's running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, ridiculed Obama for using similar high-sounding words:
Palin, Sept. 3: What does he actually seek to accomplish after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet?
That crack drew jeers and laughter. Perhaps Republicans see a distinction between "healing the planet" and "restor[ing] the health of our planet," but it escapes us.
–by Brooks Jackson, with Viveca Novak, Lori Robertson, Joe Miller and Emi Kolawole
Actually, McCain's entire acceptances speech was filled with contradictions and lies. See for yourself:
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_mccain.html
Posted by: dt | September 7, 2008 3:37 PM
Bin Laden is still out there.
We had no business going into Iraq until the job in Afghanistan was done.
John McCain was inearly support of the war against Iraq which he predicted to be an easy time. WRONG.
Worng on the economy. We are floundering and now we have not the resources to fight Bin Laden.
Posted by: Osama Angry | September 7, 2008 3:40 PM
McCain's going to run into all kinds of contradictions because "independent" thinkers cannot survive in a "two party system."
That's not to suggest he won't win the election, though.
McCain chose Palin to shore up his base. But his base is at odds with independents. That's where McCain tries to run, while Palin's very presence hold down the base.
What you get is a confusing message of "Do as I say, not as Pain does."
He condemns earmarks, but his running mate recognized that she needed earmarks to grow her tiny-town. He's against lobbyist, but his running mate hired a lobbyist to get the earmarked money.
And the beat goes on...
Posted by: Jorge from Bloomington | September 7, 2008 3:58 PM
McCain's actions always belie ("to act unworthily according to the standards of (a tradition, one's ancestry, one's faith, etc.)". his words. That is not a paradox; it is the hallmark of the Republicons who have been ruling this country for the last eight years..
Posted by: Robert Castle | September 7, 2008 4:03 PM
Change, is McCain talking about his Depends?
Yeah I'm sure all the powers to be in the Republican party are supporting him so he can "change" them. The guy that voted with Bush 90% of them time is all about "change".
And I'm sure after his vitriol filled hatefest of a convention he is going to end "partisan rancor"
Hes a uniter, not a divider, just like his mentor Bush!
Posted by: Michael | September 7, 2008 4:34 PM
McCain is a champion flip-flopper. He is BOTH Republican and anti-Republican; a Bush-lover and a Bush-hater; for and against social security; puts SELF and country first; plays nice and attacks with Rove tactics; in short, he is a deceiver, a cynic, and into smoke and mirrors. He has been in the Senate for almost 30 years. His campaign is running on change although the McBushies have been in charge of Washington for the last 8 years that brought us an almost bankrupt economy, endless war, high unemployment, Enron (and Keating Five), the Katrina debacle, etc, etc. McSlime's change is more of the Rove playbook, dishonorable, cynical, lying about the issues, putting self before our beloved republic. That the polls have McShame and his unready to be commander-in-chief beauty queen running even with Obama, who has run a brilliant, clean campaign focused on resolving the enormous problems that we face tell us everything we wish we do not know about the place of race (and slimy politics) in the U.S. I am a senior citizen who is in despair for the future of our children and our planet.
Posted by: lin | September 7, 2008 5:01 PM
The only uncertainty Obama cannot dispell is the certainty that he is subtly and not so subtly rejected because he is a black man (yet he was raised by a single white mother and two loving white grandparents). Are we ready to turn the page and to judge a man by his character rather than by the color of his skin? Will the Republicans' Rovian playbook that codes Obama as "uppity (n*****)" win another 8 years for the McBushies? I pray for the future of my country.
Posted by: lin | September 7, 2008 5:08 PM
This "Maverick" brand is being carefully crafted by the Karl Rove image makers and propagandists.. McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, his policies are indistinguishable from Bush his campaign is being orchestrated by the Bush people. What does it take for people to see through this smoke screen. McCain=Bush, it is as plain as the facts.
Posted by: jefflz | September 7, 2008 5:14 PM
From Galston's Wikipedia bio:
"He was also a senior advisor to President of the United States Bill Clinton on domestic policy, and has also been employed by the presidential campaigns of Al Gore and Walter Mondale."
Frank James's nonpartisan expert turns out to be a longtime Democrat operative. And he conceals that fact from the reader.
Given the latest Gallup Poll numbers showing McCain-Palin ahead of Obama-Biden by 3%, is anyone surprised that Obama's media allies are redoubling their biased, partisan "reporting"?
Posted by: Bruce | September 7, 2008 5:20 PM
How astute an observation, but why get so astute !!? Let's keep it in the vernacular of the Bush-Cheney style, the dumbing down of America !!
In other words, don't do as I do, do as I say. Or, how about, having your cake and eating it too !! Here's another one, I really didn't mean it, the way you understood it !! This one is the most appropriate for Senator McCain: He talks out of both sides of his mouth, most Bush-McCain Republicans, do !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | September 7, 2008 5:24 PM
In scientific terms it may be called "paradox". In english it is called pandering.
Posted by: Cc | September 7, 2008 5:59 PM
See Eye of the Storm Leadership by Peter S. Adler to understand why this ability to manage paradox is an essential leadership trait and for other examples of John McCain's demonstration of it in cooperation with Democrats.
Posted by: Realist | September 7, 2008 6:00 PM
Obama claims to be the agent of change but what does it say about him when he has voted pretty close to 100 percent in line with fellow Democrats during his brief Senate career? During Obams's time in the Senete the public approval rating for congress has dropped to its lowest point in history. How is it change when you march lock step with a failed congress? With this voting record Mr. Obama has shown that he is just another one of the herd. He is not a leader or visionary when it comes to action.
Posted by: Tunes59 | September 7, 2008 6:34 PM
McCain will say or do anything that gets him the presidency. He only cares for his own ambition, not the nation.
Palin is the least qualified person ever nominated by a major party for president or vice president. She's a religious extremist who would attempt to impose a theocratic philosophy on the country. She doesn't believe in climate change, environmental protection, freedom of speech, freedom of choice, or separation of church and state. Since the Constitution states "There shall be no religious test for office" she cannot honestly take the oath of office.
Pfui!
Posted by: Larry-T | September 7, 2008 7:22 PM
He's so Bi-partisan his BFF is an independent! Joe L.
McCain offers the same failed Bush policies. The ones that have been picking the pocket of the middle class for eight years.
Posted by: athena3 | September 7, 2008 8:32 PM
I'm not buying the shenanigans. As I point out here:
http://www.somedork.com/daily-ramblings/nice-speech-john/
Nice Speech John
what exactly is he thinking to change? Is he going to move away from the Bush tax plan? Nope. Is he going to change course in Iraq? Nope.
All I heard is that somehow he's going to veto all bills with earmarks and that he's going to domestically drill for oil (something that won't have any effect on the price of gas at the pump).
None of this is real change. Do not be fooled by a character narrative America! This is the same message Bush tried when he was elected in 2000. This is your chance for a do-over.
Posted by: Some Dork | September 7, 2008 9:18 PM