By Martin Klingst

Translated By Ron Argentati

5 September 2008



Germany - Die Zeit - Original Article (German)

John McCain blew his acceptance speech at the Republican convention. He presented no goals, no vision, and no spirit of optimism.


Before their grand finale in Minneapolis, Republicans had one big worry: would John McCain shine, or would he stand in the shadow of his running mate? On Wednesday, Sarah Palin, the Republican’s current rising star, aroused the party faithful with caustic attacks on Barack Obama, imparting a joy they hadn’t felt for a long time. She set the bar pretty high for McCain.

McCain’s advisors ran around as if possessed, declaring that McCain’s speech would be groundbreaking and would clarify America’s future. He would build bridges to political opponents and explain exactly what direction his administration would take. Dozens of aides did their best to transform the gigantic hockey arena into as cozy and intimate a place as possible.

McCain was to feel comfortable there and be able to stand as close to the delegates as possible. He doesn’t like wide open spaces nor standing at a lectern. He prefers direct dialog because he knows he’s not a very good orator. For hours, the arena was transformed into something like a town square.

Nothing helped. John McCain couldn’t get over the bar Sarah Palin had set for him. He crept beneath it . . . far beneath it. He came off tired, old, pale and devoid of new ideas. He clung to the admittedly moving story of his time as a POW in Vietnam. It deserves deep respect and admiration, but on that evening it had to cover a lot. It had to represent his love of country, his transformation from egotist to patriot, his learning aptitude, his courage and his leadership ability.

The decisive failure, however, was his inability to explain to an America sadly disappointed by George W. Bush why he, an aged Republican and Senator for 22 years, should be regarded as the agent of change and the promise for a better future.

John McCain promised, if elected, to cooperate with political opponents. He said that change came with him and that he would extend his hand to everyone who shared his desire to take America forward. But he neglected to say where the journey was heading. He stuck to generalities like reducing the taxes Obama was sure to raise. He promised to create jobs while Obama would wipe them out.

McCain mentioned no concrete plan, didn’t back anything up with specifics, and seemed erratic. The biggest ovation came when he promised to stop giving money to nations that didn’t like America. They also applauded wildly when he announced his support for oil exploration off America’s coast and in nature preserves. “Drill, baby, drill!” they screamed.

But disappointment over his failed speech was apparent on the faces of many in the audience when it was over. Several left the arena before it ended and others quickly took their leave as soon as it was over and red, white and blue balloons floated over the stage. Somehow, the whole presentation came off as stale and backward looking.

After that evening, Republicans will well and truly have to strain to generate a spirit of optimism. But it’s still two months to election day and Obama and McCain will meet three times in televised debates. A lot can happen between now and November 4th and the race will continue to be close.

At the moment, the Democrats have a slight advantage. Perhaps a glance at their bevy of delegates explains which party at the moment most honestly reflects America’s present and its future. The Democrats in Denver were a multicolored, vitally alive group made up of black, white, yellow and brown faces. Women made up more than half their numbers. And that’s what the United States really looks like.

Among the Republicans in Minneapolis, on the other hand, you had to use a magnifying glass to find African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians in the crowd. And only every third delegate was female. The group picture was predominantly very white and very male.

Even Sarah Palin can’t change that.