Posted on 09/14/2008 8:37:29 PM PDT by Gordon Greene
The tables turned the day that Sarah Palin burst onto the scene.
I was prepared to cast my vote for “none of the above” this election season. Pulling the lever for Barack Obama would be like pulling the lever on the biggest toilet in the world. I lost nothing in Barack Obama’s camp that would ever warrant me paying a visit.
As a conservative, what was my choice? To me, the face of John McCain was that of a man who “reached across the aisle” to the exclusion of principle and party… compromised to the point of Republican treason. I didn’t see him as compassionate or even human, mostly because the differences of opinion were great enough that the conservative base, of which I am a part, would not allow him to appear human.
I’d seen him speak in snippets and sound-bites over the years and I was usually more than a little annoyed when his face flashed across the screen. I knew immediately thereafter some pundit or commentator would point out how much of a Maverick he was… how he stood against the tide of raging conservatism.
This time, I was not going to be snookered. I had decided that the lesser of two evils was still evil.
Then came Sarah.
In Sarah Palin, John McCain seemed to find a true conservative with a face you felt you could trust. Someone with a record of change and reform Christian Conservatives could finally relate to. But this alone did not make me believe in John McCain as a leader. On its own, this choice could not bring about real change. If John McCain was going to bring out the base and add enough of the fence-riders to the mix to pull this thing off, he was going to need more than a pretty face on the ticket.
I voted for George W. twice. Not because I agreed with all of his decisions, but because I felt that even when I did not agree with him, he was, and still is a principled man. He makes choices based on honor and integrity. For the love of country, and this even when the decision may be unpopular. He is an honest man.
The night McCain gave his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, there were several statements he made that gave me pause. He talked about his record of reaching across the aisle and his desire to continue to do so. He made passing reference to McCain-Feingold. Some of the things he brought up have angered many conservatives, but he sounded like a man proud of his accomplishments no matter the popularity. But then John McCain spoke about his capture by the Viet Cong and his refusal to leave when other men captured before him remained in captivity. He recounted his subsequent torture. I was touched at the honesty on his face when he admitted to being “broken” by his captors. I saw an entirely different John McCain than I had ever seen. Although I was looking at a man I didn’t wholeheartedly agree with, he made me believe I could trust him to defend this nation at all costs. Even Cindy McCain appeared softer and more personable that night.
I don’t think it’s an accident that the demeanor of so many changed when Sarah Palin entered the fold. And I don’t think John McCain’s “handlers” got some message from above telling them to soften his image. The atmosphere changes when a real person with real faith enters the room. Second Corinthians 2:14 refers to those who spread the knowledge of God as having the “aroma of Christ”. It’s one intangible that can clearly be seen and felt.
The Palin’s in no way claim to be perfect, but they do attempt to follow God’s lead and this is evident in their lives. It’s also evident in their reflection that emanates from those around them.
I’m not sure Obama or the media knew what they were doing when they immediately went on the attack against the Palins’. It seems like their unwarranted and, shall I say unprecedented barrage only strengthened the resolve of the Republican Party and revealed the integrity and honor of John McCain that had been concealed by political rhetoric. Sarah Palin is obviously capable of defending herself, but people with heart who know what it is to struggle will always rise to defend others.
So the eyes of the world are watching us now. As Americans, we don’t always see eye to eye. Heck, I don’t know any two people who see eye to eye on everything on any given day. But if we don’t make the right choice this time, I fear our way of life will change in the most discernable way and in the shortest period of time in our country’s history.
Don’t expect for the road to be easy… don’t expect to like everything you see with John McCain as president.
I do believe you can expect John McCain to be fair and honest. I do believe you can expect John McCain to take care of our military and defend our country and our Constitution.
And I do believe you can expect John McCain to be the next President of these United States.
Godspeed, John McCain.
Yep i have heard that quite a bit. A good women can help a guy find his way......
Seems to have worked for Todd...
I don’t think McCain knew what he was in for, but he sure struck a gold mine with Palin.
Wow- I really liked that. Thank you.
Godspeed, John McCain. May God bless us all.
Good design on the bumper sticker, by the way...
Thank you!
It popped into my head the other night and I just had to make it.
bump
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