McCain Speech to CPAC

Redstate's Erick Erickson has the text here. Snip:

I began by assuring you that we share a conception of liberty that is the bedrock of our beliefs as conservatives. As you know, I was deprived of liberty for a time in my life, and while my love of liberty is no greater than yours, you can be confident that mine is the equal of any American's. It is a deep and unwavering love. My life experiences in service to our country inform my political judgments. They are at the core of my convictions. I am pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere in the world because of them, because I know that to be denied liberty is an offense to nature and nature's Creator. I will never waver in that conviction, I promise you. I know in this country our liberty will not be seized in a political revolution or by a totalitarian government. But, rather, as Burke warned, it can be "nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts." I am alert to that risk and will defend against it, and ta ke comfort from the knowledge that I will be encouraged in that defense by my fellow conservatives.

You have heard me say before that for all my reputation as a maverick, I have only found true happiness in serving a cause greater than my self-interest. For me, that cause has always been our country, and the ideals that have made us great. I have been her imperfect servant for many years, and I have made many mistakes. You can attest to that, but need not. For I know them well myself. But I love her deeply and I will never, never tire of the honor of serving her. I cannot do that without your counsel and support. And I am grateful, very grateful, that you have given me this opportunity to ask for it.

It's worth the time to read the whole thing. I'm not sure how it came across live, but it certainly reads well -- and actually has a certain Peggy Noonan quality to it.

Will this speech change any minds? By itself, no. Actions, as always, are more important.

Though judging by the accounts I've read, McCain could do himself an immense amount of good by conservatives if he let it be known that one of his first actions would be to tap Tom Coburn as his VP.

No votes yet

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.