John McCain: Change is Coming

The Republican Convention ended tonight with John McCain’s speech in which he claimed the mantra of change in competition with Barack Obama. And here’s the deal: regardless of who wins this presidential election, America faces change simply by virtue of the tickets. If the Democrats win, we will have elected our first African-American president; if the Republicans win, we will have elected our first female vice-president.

But the change McCain was referring to in his opening warning was the kind he’s noted for in living up to his nickname in Washington as a maverick who has bucked his own party on many occasions and often worked across the aisle to help pass important legislation.

The Obama team also promises the kind of change that challenges the way things are done in Washington and threatens the status quo.

We’ll see.

In the meantime, Peter Baker at the NY Times writes:

“After watching two political conclaves the last two weeks, it would be easy to be confused about which was really the gathering of the opposition. As Senator John McCain accepted the Republican nomination for president, he and his supporters sounded the call of insurgents seeking to topple the establishment, even though their party heads the establishment.”

To read Baker’s complete response to McCain’s speech this evening, go here.