Some insights, please?

[Anonymous]

I watched both McCain's concession and Obama's victory speeches. I thought that McCain went above and beyond being gracious to and acknowledging the strengths of Obama and encouraging his supporters to get behind him.

I have to say that I was a little surprised and disappointed that Obama did not say one thing about McCain. Nothing. Not even something like, "I just got off the phone with John McCain. We had a nice conversation, and I look forward to working with him. . ." Something. There was NOTHING.

Why?

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure he did say he just got a call from McCain and something nice.

[Anonymous]

I think he mentioned McCain at one point, but to your point, I thought McCain's speech was more gracious, encouraging and thoughtful than Obama's "yawner". Where was this version of McCain the last several months?!?!?!

[Anonymous]

I just watched the whole speech on You Tube. Twice. No mention of McCain.

[Anonymous]

huh? I am pretty sure he said something about McCain. .

yep here it is:

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead

from the transcript.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6181477&page=1

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I just watched the whole speech on You Tube. Twice. No mention of McCain.

You must not have watched the complete speech. I clearly remember Obama mentioning McCain and here it is in the transcript:

"I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead."

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/11/obamas_speech_as_prepared.php

Moreover, its been reported this morning that Obama has asked to meet with McCain in order to discuss how they can work together. I expect McCain to be ostracized by the Republican party, so working with Obama may be his best bet for the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:huh? I am pretty sure he said something about McCain. .

yep here it is:

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead

from the transcript.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=6181477&page=1

Yeah, I was about to say that I thought Obama was incredibly gracious in his comments about McCain!

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I guess that didn't make it onto You Tube. Or I missed it.

[Anonymous]

He did mention McCain, when he mentioned McCain's phone call, Obama said they had to work together on the tasks at hand. As an Obama supporter, I felt McCain's speech was very inspiring and unifying...he looked calmer than ever and looked like he got some blood circulation back in his face. I've been scared of him the entire campaign, but his parting speech gave me new respect for him. He had way more class last night than the booing voters in the crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He did mention McCain, when he mentioned McCain's phone call, Obama said they had to work together on the tasks at hand. As an Obama supporter, I felt McCain's speech was very inspiring and unifying...he looked calmer than ever and looked like he got some blood circulation back in his face. I've been scared of him the entire campaign, but his parting speech gave me new respect for him. He had way more class last night than the booing voters in the crowd.

McCain's concession speech was quite eloquent and I do appreciate the fact that he highlighted that we need to come together as a nation. He looked relaxed. Though a Dem, I had said that I could vote for McCain early in the year, but I didn't see anyone resembling this man in the past 6 months. I was wondering how I could have thought that I could vote for someone like that.

He exited graciously and leaves the image of a respectable statesman.

[Anonymous]

I agree, McCain's speech was classy and a good way to end his campaign. However, the classless reactions from his supporters in the crowd is a beast of McCain's making. It diminished what otherwise would have been a flawless concession.

[Anonymous]

The way McCain held up his hand, with a stern look that silenced the boos whenever they cropped up, was the finest show of leadership I have seen from him this campaign. A good parting image!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way McCain held up his hand, with a stern look that silenced the boos whenever they cropped up, was the finest show of leadership I have seen from him this campaign. A good parting image!

Agreed. It was McCain at his best, a side I didn't think we saw much during the campaign. It's amazing how so many candidates come across much, much better AFTER the election when they can start to be true to themselves again. Remember Bob Dole, Gore, now McCain....

[Anonymous]

McCain started by saying that it was great for black people that "they" (none in the audience) got this historic moment. He was generally gracious, but his supporters booed at various points.

Obama praised McCain's service and even said that America was a better place thanks to him, and many people clapped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:McCain started by saying that it was great for black people that "they" .

There were some blacks in his audience. And why the scare quotes around "they". It was a historic night for African-Americans. McCain is not African American. Should he have said "we"??