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Showcasing McCain Authenticity

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By GREG TRUAX

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 31, 2008

The high point of the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul this week will be Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech on the last night. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez will speak just before John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for president Thursday evening.

This election is about our future. In his speech, look for Sen. McCain to explain his views on the challenges America faces and the critical choices we must make. National political conventions are among the most watched events. They present a prime-time opportunity for Sen. McCain to tell millions nationwide, as well as over 20,000 delegates, guests and volunteers in the Excel Energy Center and 15,000 members of the news media covering the event, how he plans to lead the country if he's privileged to be our next president.

On display for Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike during the convention, as it has been during the campaign, will be what I call the McCain Authenticity. As both a naval aviator and a political leader, John McCain has consistently demonstrated patriotism, intelligence, courage (under all sorts of fire), competence, devotion, and great strength of character. These qualities - he has endured and prevailed over the severest imaginable adversity - mean he's a leader, tested and ready from Day One to be America's commander-in-chief.

Many Tribune readers are already acquainted with Sen. McCain's straight talk. During the long campaign, the veteran senator has spent a lot of time with voters in our state, including stops in the Tampa Bay area. He's answered questions and outlined for Floridians common sense ideas to promote economic growth, provide for strategic energy independence, and provide a strong national security policy that will "preserve and protect" American citizens in a dangerous world.

In sharp contrast, Sen. Obama decided not to campaign in our state. Floridians weren't given the opportunity to question him about the toll his proposed sharp tax increases and increases in federal regulations and programs would take on families and employees of small businesses. Or ask Sen. Obama, less than four years out of the Illinois legislature, why he didn't hold even one hearing on Afghanistan while chairing a subcommittee on European Affairs on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which oversees NATO. Vague and repeated promises of "change" (change what - to what?) may make a good mantra. But they aren't policy, and Floridians know this.

The Republican Party's 39th convention will be closer to Election Day than any nominating convention in our history, concluding just 61 days before Americans decide who will be their next commander-in-chief. A very focused and dedicated McCain team throughout Florida, made up of local volunteers, will use that time to continue a neighbor-to-neighbor, grass-roots campaign for the man they strongly believe should be the next president of the United States.

Greg Truax, McCain Campaign co-chair for Hillsborough County, is an at-large delegate from Florida to the Republican National Convention. Greg Truax, McCain Campaign co-chair for Hillsborough County, is an at-large delegate from Florida to the Republican

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