With the Race Tied at 42 Percent, McCain Seizes the Mantle of Change

On the same day that the latest CBS poll showed John McCain and Barack Obama tied at exactly 42 percent each, Sen. McCain took the stage in St. Paul for his acceptance speech. Seizing the mantle of change from the Obama team, McCain presented himself and his sidekick, the feisty Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, as the real reform ticket in the general election.

Jeanne Cummings at Politico writes:

“In his nomination address, John McCain on Thursday recast himself as a seasoned soldier ready to fight the entrenched interests of Washington on behalf of the average American.

‘“Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do-nothing, me first, country second, Washington crowd: Change is coming,’ McCain said.

‘“Embracing his ‘maverick’ reputation, McCain cited his history of corruption investigations and his campaign against wasteful spending as evidence of his toughness and independence.’

‘“I don’t work for a party. I don’t work for special interests. I don’t work for myself. I work for you,’ he added.

“But McCain’s decision to use his 45-minute convention address to largely talk past the party activists seated before him and offer an appeal to independent voters carried risks.

“It produced a stark contrast to the roaring cheers that greeted the stinging, partisan attacks delivered by his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on Wednesday night.”

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