He passed on that chance, refusing to cave in.
John McCain accepted the GOP's nomination last night and brought tears to the eyes of many at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. But how did McCain address the issues?
For the most part, he spoke vaguely about most issues. Here's how he addressed topics that are important to readers of DiversityInc.
On affordable education
McCain, unlike Obama, didn't address how the federal government would grant greater access to affordable education--on any level. However, he did say he'd prefer giving parents school choice in failing school districts. Traditionally, those matters are governed by each state and local school districts.
"Education is the civil-rights issue of this century. Equal access to public education has been gained. But what is the value of access to a failing school?" McCain said. "We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice, remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work.
"When a public school fails to meet its obligations to students, parents deserve a choice in the education of their children. And I intend to give it to them. Some may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private one. Many will choose a charter school. But they will have that choice and their children will have that opportunity.
"Sen. Obama wants our schools to answer to unions and entrenched bureaucracies. I want schools to answer to parents and students. And when I'm president, they will."
On providing affordable healthcare to everyone
McCain's healthcare plan differs greatly from Obama's. Instead of providing universal healthcare to all Americans, McCain instead supports finding ways to enable more Americans to shop for a healthcare plan that best suits their needs--and to pay for it on their own. Social medicine, he insists, is prescription for disaster.
"My healthcare plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good healthcare insurance," McCain said. "[Obama's] plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages and force families into a government-run healthcare system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor."
On family leave and bankruptcy laws
McCain addressed neither issue.
On gay rights
While most in the GOP--most notably former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee--made it clear that they think marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman, McCain did not address this hot-button issue. On the issue in the past, McCain has made it clear he believes each state should determine its own definition of marriage, not the federal government.
On immigration
McCain did not address immigration in his acceptance speech.
America's morale
McCain was one of the few at the GOP convention to address the country's failing economy. However, he offered no specific solutions to the problem.
"These are tough times for many of you," McCain said. "You're worried about keeping your job or finding a new one, and are struggling to put food on the table and stay in your home. All you ever asked of government is to stand on your side, not in your way. And that's just what I intend to do: Stand on your side and fight for your future."
On tax cuts to the wealthy & promoting small businesses
In his speech last week, Barack Obama discussed how he would lower taxes for 95 percent of the struggling working class--and he also discussed how he'd give more incentives to entrepreneurs and small-business owners. McCain refuted Obama's words by saying an Obama administration would lead to a large tax increase.
"I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can," McCain said. "My opponent will raise them. I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them. I will cut government spending. He will increase it. My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them."
Odds and ends
As was the case on most issues, McCain did not offer specific methods he would use to implement his proposed program. The greatest portion of his speech--and the convention itself--focused on his service to the U.S. Navy and the time he spent as a prisoner of war.
McCain also addressed his selection of Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential candidate.
"And I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska," McCain said. "She has executive experience and a real record of accomplishment. She's tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption. She's balanced a budget, cut taxes, and taken on the special interests. She's reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and Independents to serve in her administration. She's the mother of five children. She's helped run a small business, worked with her hands and knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments and healthcare and the cost of gasoline and groceries."
Click here to read the entire text of McCain's speech to the RNC.
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