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Delegates expect McCain’s speech to outline his plans
Photo
Dave Johnson
Valley convention delegates say the speech gives John McCain a chance to show his true colors.
Mahoning Valley Republicans at the party’s national convention expect to hear John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, discuss today why he’s the best candidate to run the country.
“We’ll be reminded of what kind of a leader John McCain is and what a great president he’ll be,” said Mark Munroe of Boardman, a delegate and Mahoning County Republican vice chairman.
McCain’s speech closes the convention.
“It’s John McCain’s best opportunity [up to this point] to get across his message to the nation,” Munroe said. “It’s his chance to outline his agenda.”
LeeAnn Tucker of Howland, an alternate delegate, expects McCain to focus on the economy.
“There’s a lot of excitement and people are looking forward to his speech,” she said.
But Munroe isn’t sure the delegates are focused on McCain’s speech because of the attention paid to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, his vice presidential running mate.
“There’s been so much press on Palin and less on McCain,” Munroe said. “That’s unfortunate because we’re here to listen to what McCain will say. That will probably change when the senator speaks.”
Trumbull County Republican Chairman Craig Bonar of Cortland, a convention delegate, said McCain’s speech will allow him to “show his true colors as a true reformer.”
The choice between McCain and Barack Obama will be highlighted in the Republican nominee’s speech, Bonar said.
Columbiana County GOP Chairman Dave Johnson of Salem, a delegate, anticipates an “uplifting speech” from McCain.
“I’m expecting to hear a very clear vision where John McCain will take this country as president,” he said. “He’ll talk about lower taxes, keeping the current tax cuts and reigning in reckless spending in Washington.”
McCain will also discuss “his life experiences that shaped his character and makes him uniquely qualified to be the next commander in chief.”
McCain needs to clearly outline how he is different from Obama and that would include going “on the attack” against the Democratic presidential nominee, said Paul Sracic, chairman of the Youngstown State University’s political science department. [Sracic isn’t at the convention.]
“McCain needs to convince those who won’t vote for Obama to vote for him, and to not stay at home” on Election Day, Sracic said. “He’s got some excitement with his choice of Sarah Palin. Republicans need to leave the convention with enthusiasm.”
The Ohio delegation is seated in front of the stage at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.
Tucker said she sat just a few feet from former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, and McCain’s wife, Cindy.
The Ohio delegation joined others Wednesday putting together care packages for those impacted by Hurricane Gustav.
The McCains also helped.
skolnick@vindy.com