Politics: McCain's speech after the Maryland, Virginia and DC primaries

In 2000, I heard McCain speak at a rally in Los Angeles. His biography earns him a hearing. Though he may not deliver the best of speeches, one cannot help but feel that what he says is what he means.

I looked over his recent speech he gave in Arlington Virginia. Here are some excerpts:

We do not yet know for certain who will have the honor of being the Democratic Party's nominee for President. But we know where either of their candidates will lead this country, and we dare not let them. They will promise a new approach to governing, but offer only the policies of a political orthodoxy that insists the solution to government's failures is to simply make it bigger.

When it is distilled down, McCain hits the key difference between the two parties.

Obama may be eloquent and speak of change but is there much difference between his positions and the bulk of the Democratic party in the Congress?

UPDATE: Check out these liberal/conservative ratings summaries from the Electoral-vote.com.

Clinton may claim to be ready to lead from day one but where to?

We will offer different ideas, based in a better understanding of the challenges we face, and the resolve to confront them with confidence in the strength and ideals of free people. We believe that Americans, not our detractors and certainly not our enemies, are on the right side of history. We trust in the strength, industry and goodness of the American people. We don't believe that government has all the answers. We believe that government must respect the rights, property and opportunities of the people to whom we are accountable. We don't believe in growing the size of government to make it easier to serve our own ambitions. We believe that what government is expected to do, what we cannot do for ourselves individually, it must do with competence, resolve and wisdom.

Not a better summary of the Republican political philosophy can be found than this. Indeed, there have been specific areas where McCain has irked the more conservative branch of the Republican big tent. But on the big picture, McCain is right on here!

McCain concluded with this stirring emotional coda ...

I do not seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need. I seek the presidency with the humility of a man who cannot forget that my country saved me. I am running to serve America, and to champion the ideas I believe will help us do what every American generation has managed to do: to make in our time, and from our challenges, a stronger country and a better world.

I intend to do that by fighting for the principles and policies I believe best serve the interests of the American people: for a government that takes and spends less of your money and competently discharges its responsibilities; that shows a proper respect for our rights and values; that provides a strong and capable defense; that encourages the enterprise and ingenuity of individuals, businesses and families, who know best how to advance America's economy, and secure the dreams that have made us the greatest nation in history. As I have done my entire career, I will make my case to every American who will listen. I will not confine myself to the comfort of speaking only to those who agree with me. I will make my case to all the people. I will listen to those who disagree. I will attempt to persuade them. I will debate. And I will learn from them. But I will fight every moment of every day for what I believe is right for t his country, and I will not yield. And, my friends, I promise you, I am fired up and ready to go.

Thank you, and God bless you.