Mauians: McCain’s maturity highlighted

WAILUKU - While presidential candidate Sen. John McCain may not have delivered a "charge through the wall" speech Thursday night in St. Paul, Minn., it was something better, said Republican National Committeeman Travis Thompson.

It was thoughtful and humble.

"I thought the Republican candidate did an excellent job of showing the maturity and experience he has versus the person running on the other side (Sen. Barack Obama)," said Thompson, a former Maui County finance director.

As a man who understands government spending personally, Thompson said he was particularly glad to hear McCain pledge to veto pork-barrel projects. Thompson spoke to The Maui News by telephone right after the Republican National Convention concluded Thursday night.

McCain, a onetime Navy pilot who was shot down and held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, was very moving at times as well, Thompson said. He said he was impressed at McCain's admission to once being a man focused on himself but who changed into a person who puts the needs of others and his country above his own.

Again, Thompson said since McCain, 72, understands the horror of war like few others, he was convinced when the presidential nominee said he would bring to bear all the tools of defense, diplomacy and personal relationships with world leaders to resolve conflicts.

"I hate war," McCain said.

"His pledge to create peace, that was very important to me," Thompson said.

McCain acknowledged President Bush's leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, one of the few mentions of the unpopular administration.

McCain also emphasized the success of the troop buildup in Iraq organized by Gen. David Petraeus, and McCain stressed that he was almost alone in his support for the "surge" plan.

"I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't a popular thing to do," McCain said.

For Thompson, other highlights included McCain's emphasis on empowering parents to have a choice on what school they want their children to attend, whether public or private, holding weak teachers accountable and rewarding excellence in teaching.

Another veteran Maui Republican, Party Chairwoman Kay Ghean, said she appreciated the themes important to the party.

"I think what really resonated with me is when he said we are going to get back to the basics of being Republican: small government, a strong national defense, and integrity and honesty," Ghean said. "Those are home runs with me."

Ghean described herself as a McCain convert and called his choice of running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, inspired. She also thought McCain was inspired when he called on more people to get involved in public life in any way they can.

"He just had a litany of things that could be Boy Scout mottos," Ghean said.

Speaking on C-SPAN, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle said the choice of Palin boosts the ticket in the islands, even against the Hawaii-born Barack Obama.

In an interview at the Republican National Convention, Lingle said Palin could appeal to women voters who had supported Hillary Clinton.

She also said McCain's ties to Hawaii may help his candidacy. His father, Adm. John Sidney McCain Jr., served as commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command from 1968 to 1972. McCain and his wife, Cindy, met in 1979 at a military reception in Hawaii.

Ghean said McCain also had credibility when he said he would reach across the aisle and work with Democrats to get things accomplished in Washington. A key example is McCain's cooperation with Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin to institute campaign spending reform.

Ghean said she liked how McCain said he's got scars, unlike Obama, from both parties for trying to reinvent Washington. Before later attacking his opponent's positions, McCain said he still respects and admires Obama as an American.

McCain said many of his proposals would have the polar opposite results of Obama's pledges. He said Obama would close the United States to global markets, eliminate jobs with his tax plan and turn public subsidized health care into a bureaucratic mess.

American needs to find new jobs and keep them here, not try to bring back the ones that already have been lost.

For Thompson, the convention's climax, while appreciated, couldn't have come soon enough. He said he was glad that the hectic schedule was over. He was ready to take time off to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife.

* The Associated Press contributed to this story. Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com.