John McCain at Republican National Convention prompt

The early 2000s was a time for uncertainty for Americans as they have been fighting in
the middle east, as well as the fear of what the turn of the century has in store for them. To top it
off, there was a new president to potentially be sworn into office. After a controversial
Democratic president such as Bill Clinton, where he was almost impeached, Americans needed a
reassuring face. This came in the form of George W. Bush, son to former president George HW
Bush. In this speech by John McCain, who lost the nomination to Bush, he tries to unify not only
the Republican Party, but rally any unsure voters to vote for his opponent Bush. McCain’s
strategic use of pronouns throughout his speech convinces all Americans that they are in this
together, without partisanship, and that George W. Bush is the right man for the job.
McCain begins his speech by using “we” numerous throughout the first few paragraphs,
to catch the listeners attention. He is talking about politicians and Americans who have failed
their role to help the public by “put[ting] our personal interests before the national interest” .
This is seen as a way of admitting wrong, but also saying that there is a promise to do better “We
need to get riled up...stand for the values that make America great”. McCain uses this phrasing in
order to tell the audience that there is solidarity between Americans and politicians, and that they
need to work together to restore the America that the nation was founded on. McCain appeals to
the listeners patriotism and need for change, to show them that there is a solution: voting for
Bush.
To further the sense of nationality and patriotism, McCain refers to America as “she” and
talks about America as if it was a person. This personification of America, “keep your promise to
America, as she has kept her promise to you.” is used to put a personal attachment and burden
on these Americans, as if they made a promise to not divide the country further. McCain uses
this opportunity to explain how Bush could get that unification done, saying that the difference
between personal gain and selfishness is hard for some, but “It takes leaders of courage and
character to remember the difference.” This is both a stab at the Democratic Party and a
compliment for Bush, as the readers associate patriotism and unification to the Republican
Nominee. McCain used this feeling of personification, that America is a person, to appeal to the
listeners inner sense of responsibility, for they would hate to see their country fail and a promise
broken.they would feel that the only way to keep this promise is to vote for Bush.
McCain concludes his speech with a series of “I” statements. This parallel structure is
used as a “bring it home” time of conclusion, to rally everyone together with “I say to all
Americans, Republican, Democrat, Independent...vote for Governor Bush”. He says this as a
way to show his audience that he takes what he said to heart; that an America that is divided is a
broken one. McCain does not forget his loyal supporters however, saying “I support him. I am
grateful for him”. This use of first person is used in order to affirm his qualifications, and make
the support from him important to securing that a Republican is elected president. His supporters
know him as a veteran, who fought for his country and has served it for the past 40 years. By him
saying he supports George Bush as president, he is saying that he feels Bush shares the same
love for his country as he does, and that appeals to many Americans sense of gratitude for
veterans and love for the country. By associating George Bush with these qualities, McCain
secures his purpose that the best person to take charge of the country, especially at a time of
uncertainty and divided, is Governor Bush.