Friday, September 05, 2008
News
Local GOP say McCain gave strong speech
By NATHAN BRUTTELL Argus-Press Staff Writer
SHIAWASSEE COUNTY - After a delayed start following the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, the Republican National Convention finished strongly, according to some local Republicans.
Shiawassee Republican Party Chairman Sam Burwell attended a local convention watch party Thursday night to see how Republican candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would fare.
“Through three-quarters of that speech, (McCain) covered what the base wanted to hear,” Burwell said. “He did a nice job of touching on everything, but it was the last 15 minutes that were the inspirational part. I thought he did very well.”
Burwell said he also was impressed with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's speech.
“She is exciting,” Burwell said. “I think John McCain could not have made a better choice for his running mate. I think there are a lot of people in Washington who are really nervous with someone like her coming to town.”
Republican State Rep. Dick Ball, R-Owosso, also enjoyed both McCain and Palin's speeches.
“I was very impressed both last night with McCain and the night before with Palin,” Ball said. “I liked to hear a lot of what McCain said about the parties coming together and stopping their bickering. Palin was sort of a new entry and I was really impressed with what she had to say.”
Republican Congressman Dave Camp, R-Midland, agreed with Burwell and Ball's assessments of the convention.
“I think (McCain's) speech demonstrated that he clearly has the experience to be president,” Camp said. “I thought he successfully made the case that he will be the candidate for change.”
Corunna resident and Democratic delegate Duane Zuckschwerdt said he didn't hear any change.
“McCain gave a good speech and a good autobiography,” Zuckschwerdt said. “What I think the American people were looking for was a plan. He talked about change in his speech, but there was no change. The theme seemed more about the country and not about the issues that we're facing today.”
Local Republicans agreed the speeches throughout the week were effective, but also know a Republican has not won the electoral votes in Michigan since 1988.
“I think that could change this year,” Burwell said. “The details are yet to come. People are going to start paying attention now. The conventions just give them an idea of what to look for in the next two months.”
The vote in Michigan could still go either way in November, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics Bill Ballenger said.
“I think there is no question that McCain can win this election,” Ballenger said. “He can carry Michigan even though no Republican has carried Michigan in 20 years. McCain is the one candidate the Republicans could have nominated who has a shot to win in November.”
The fight for Michigan has already begun. Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., visited Detroit last week and McCain will visit Sterling Heights today.
Camp said Michigan is a true swing state at this point in both campaigns.
“Most of the national polls show the race being virtually tied,” Camp said. “(The Democrats) got a small bounce after their convention and we'll get a small bounce after ours. But Michigan is still very much up for grabs.”
Shiawassee Republican Party Chairman Sam Burwell attended a local convention watch party Thursday night to see how Republican candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would fare.
“Through three-quarters of that speech, (McCain) covered what the base wanted to hear,” Burwell said. “He did a nice job of touching on everything, but it was the last 15 minutes that were the inspirational part. I thought he did very well.”
Burwell said he also was impressed with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's speech.
“She is exciting,” Burwell said. “I think John McCain could not have made a better choice for his running mate. I think there are a lot of people in Washington who are really nervous with someone like her coming to town.”
Republican State Rep. Dick Ball, R-Owosso, also enjoyed both McCain and Palin's speeches.
“I was very impressed both last night with McCain and the night before with Palin,” Ball said. “I liked to hear a lot of what McCain said about the parties coming together and stopping their bickering. Palin was sort of a new entry and I was really impressed with what she had to say.”
Republican Congressman Dave Camp, R-Midland, agreed with Burwell and Ball's assessments of the convention.
“I think (McCain's) speech demonstrated that he clearly has the experience to be president,” Camp said. “I thought he successfully made the case that he will be the candidate for change.”
Corunna resident and Democratic delegate Duane Zuckschwerdt said he didn't hear any change.
“McCain gave a good speech and a good autobiography,” Zuckschwerdt said. “What I think the American people were looking for was a plan. He talked about change in his speech, but there was no change. The theme seemed more about the country and not about the issues that we're facing today.”
Local Republicans agreed the speeches throughout the week were effective, but also know a Republican has not won the electoral votes in Michigan since 1988.
“I think that could change this year,” Burwell said. “The details are yet to come. People are going to start paying attention now. The conventions just give them an idea of what to look for in the next two months.”
The vote in Michigan could still go either way in November, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics Bill Ballenger said.
“I think there is no question that McCain can win this election,” Ballenger said. “He can carry Michigan even though no Republican has carried Michigan in 20 years. McCain is the one candidate the Republicans could have nominated who has a shot to win in November.”
The fight for Michigan has already begun. Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., visited Detroit last week and McCain will visit Sterling Heights today.
Camp said Michigan is a true swing state at this point in both campaigns.
“Most of the national polls show the race being virtually tied,” Camp said. “(The Democrats) got a small bounce after their convention and we'll get a small bounce after ours. But Michigan is still very much up for grabs.”