photo by Brie Cohen

Rep. Michele Bachmann, right, and her husband Marcus talk with Midge Dean, a delegate from St. Cloud, on Tuesday during the Republican National Convention. Bachmann stayed in the front row seats in the Minnesota section for a large portion of the night.

Republican National Convention: Republicans praise their candidate

Staff

Published Wednesday, September 3, 2008

ST. PAUL — Whether it was a family friend, a Minnesota leader, President George W. Bush or Sen. Joe Lieberman, speakers spent Tuesday at the Republican National Convention praising presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona for his character and life of service.

President Bush, who addressed the crowd via satellite, called McCain “a great American,” saying McCain’s life has prepared him to make the hard choices a president has to face.

“When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of the candidates, and they will cast their ballots for the McCain-Palin ticket,” Bush said.

America needs a president who understands the lesson of Sept. 11, 2001, he said.

“That to protect America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks before they happen, and not wait to be hit again,” Bush said.

He described McCain as a man of commitment to principle at the nation’s capital and as a free-thinker.

“John is an independent man who thinks for himself,” Bush said. “He’s not afraid to tell you when he disagrees. ... No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart.”

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, who drew a large response from the crowd during his speech, said McCain’s character has been tested like no other presidential candidate in the history of the country.

He recalled McCain’s personal journey as a prisoner of war, noting that though being a POW doesn’t qualify anyone to be president, it does reveal character. And specifically strength, courage, humility, wisdom, duty and honor.

“It’s pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, ‘Who is this man?’ and ‘Can we trust this man with the presidency?’” Thompson said.

Independent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman said McCain’s whole life testifies that while being a Democrat or a Republican is important, it’s nowhere near as important as being an American.

“What you can expect from John McCain as president is precisely what he’s done this week: Put our country first,” Lieberman said. “That’s not a political posture by John. That’s the code by which he has lived his entire life, and that is the code he will carry with him into the White House next January.”

Calling on his fellow Democrats and Independents who were watching or listening to the convention, he told them McCain is an individual who can always be counted on to be clear about where he stands, a person who puts the country first.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann carried the same message.

“John McCain has spent his life ensuring freedom has what it needs to grow ... ” she said. “America’s leader John McCain doesn’t just speak the language of service, John McCain has lived a life of service ... America needs John McCain’s service in the White House.”

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman said McCain offers Americans a hope of change that only Republicans can actually deliver.

McCain has never said no to a challenge and will do his best to fight for freedom, Coleman said.

In addition to their support for McCain, speakers Tuesday indicated their support for McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, calling her a reformer and someone who would reach across party lines to get things accomplished.

“She’s a leader we can count on to help John shake up Washington,” Lieberman said.

Freeborn County’s Mark Rofshus said overall he enjoyed the second session of the convention, with his favorite speaker being Thompson.

“I think he gave a really great portrayal of what McCain has gone through and where he’ll lead us into the future,” Rofshus said.

“I think the focus was on what John McCain brings to the campaign,” he said. “I think they did a good job telling us why we should vote for McCain — what he’s going to do.”

Though he does not agree with every item on McCain’s record, Rofshus said, at some point he has to make a decision to support the candidate who will able to provide the leadership the country needs. That person is McCain, he said.

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