The new, old McCain

Sen. John McCain sought to re-cast himself in his old role as maverick Republican last night, as well as the humble servant saved by America, not the savior of America.

It's an informative contrast to Obama's big speech, which I think aimed more directly at McCain than McCain aimed at Obama. The Republican doesn't want to take on Obama in the realm of lofty oratory – one of the Democrat’s greatest strengths – but stick to the ground game. Gov. Sarah Palin, of course, did a job of cutting into Obama already.

In a broad sense, this seems to be a matter of bringing Obama down to earth for the Republicans, and for the Democrats a matter of making this election a referendum on history.

But it's worth looking at what some of our readers thought. Some found McCain, in his persistent, duty-bound way, as inspiring as others find Obama.