The Hiller Instinct: McCain Speech

McCain said he thinks of himself as a man of his country--not his party--defined by his years as a prisoner of war. That experience, he explained, made him a maverick... always willing to go his own way.

For contrast, he portrayed Barack Obama as a prisoner of inexperience. While both want change, the difference--according to McCain--is that Obama has no record of achieving it, and he does.

McCain promised to challenge his party again to change, admitting Republicans have been part of a "big-spending, do-nothing" Washington. And--not by accident--he never said the words "President Bush."

Criticizing Republicans at their own convention could be risky...but McCain loves risk...and the delegates didn't seem to mind at all.  Undecided voters will be a tougher sell.

McCain's speech completes the conventions. Looking back, I'd have to say the Democrats' was more dramatic, the Republicans' more genuine. But both conventions were a success... because both gave boosts to their candidates, which is their only purpose.

I'm Andy Hiller and that's my instinct.

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