Last night, night number two of the Republican National Convention, there were two speeches given by two vastly different Senators. Starting out, former Senator and conservative Fred Thompson gave a fantastic speech about John McCain’ record. Thompson eloquently discussed McCain’s history: ranging from his early life, military career, and stances on issues. Thompson did an excellent job making the case to the American people that Senator McCain is the man for the job. After his speech last night, I am surprised that he did not do better in the primaries. I encourage everyone interested in politics to go and listen to Thompson’s speech, I believe that it will be one of the best coming from this convention. Here are a few quotes from Thompson about Senator McCain.

—”This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It’s pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, ‘Who is this man?’ and ‘Can we trust this man with the presidency?’”

—”But while others were talking reform, John McCain led the effort to make reform happen — always pressing, always moving for what he believed was right and necessary to restore the people’s faith in their government. Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place.”

—-”My role is to help remind you of the man behind the vision. Because tonight our country is calling to all of us to step up, stand up, and put ‘Country First’ with John McCain. Tonight we are being called upon to do what is right for our country.”

—”There has been a time in our nation’s history, since we first pledged allegiance to the American flag, when the character, judgment and leadership of our president was more important. Terrorists, rogue nations developing nuclear weapons, an increasingly belligerent Russia, intensifying competition from China, spending at home that threatens to bankrupt future generations, for decades an expanding government, increasingly wasteful and too often incompetent.”

“—To deal with these challenges, the Democrats present a history- making nominee for president — history-making in that he’s the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for president.Apparently — apparently they believe that he would match up well with the history-making, Democrat-controlled Congress — history-making because it’s the least accomplished and most unpopular Congress in our nation’s history.”

After former Senator Thompson came Senator Joe Lieberman. Even though Sen. Lieberman used to be a Democrat (I’ll forgive him for that) I must admit that he did an excellent job supporting McCain in this speech. He talked of McCain’s record from personal experience (he has been with McCain in the Senate for twenty years). He then contrasted McCain’s experience of bringing together republicans and democrats for the better of the country to Senator Obama’s lack of experience. Overall, Lieberaman gave a good speech and I appreciate him being willing to go against party for the good of the country, more politicians need to start doing that.

In addition to these two speeches, the GOP played a tribute to President Ronald Reagan and his achievements in office. I believe that honoring the loss of such a great man was fitting for this event and I salute the GOP for honoring the death of a man who did so much for his country. As time moves on, I believe that historians will continue to grasp the magnitude of the accomplishments that occurred during his administration and will see him as one of the greatest Presidents in our history.

It’s just too bad that more faces can not be added to Mt. Rushmore.

Tomorrow night, McCain’s vice presidential pick, Governor Sarah Palin will be giving her acceptance speech. The only other main speaker that I recognized was Governor Mike Huckabee so I will be putting up a post about these speeches also.

-J. Heffley