Since I made up my mind to vote for John McCain, I've been waiting for this night — and by the sounds of the crowd, an arena full of people agreed with me. The build up to John McCain was appropriately quick and tough and everyone was beyond anxious to get to the goods and see how McCain would follow Palin's speech. It felt different in the crowd. Yesterday's raucous relief was replaced with an enthusiastic solemnity.

The line up was a slate of friends and leaders who testified to McCain's readiness to lead and protect the country. Sen. Lindsay Graham had some particularly strong words:

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Barack Obama doesn't care. I'm just saying — he doesn't get it. Not once was Barack Obama's eloquent voice ever raised in support of Victory in Iraq. Not once was it used to rally our troops in battle. Instead, he inspired those who supported retreat and would have accepted our defeat.

The security theme continued up to the main event. To see who else spoke, and what McCain said, read more.

Former PA Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge said:

Who but John McCain has the experience . . the sheer will . . the steady hand. . . and the informed judgment to advance our economic and political interests during these perilous 21st century times? And who but John McCain — and only John McCain — can negotiate from a position of strength and proven ability — because he's already earned the trust . . .respect . . . and admiration of our friends and allies around the world? And I suspect he has the attention of those who would oppose us.

By the time Cindy and family (and Jack!) came out, the crowd was primed. Then John McCain gave the speech he's been waiting years to give: accepting the nomination. With an attempt by Code Pink to disrupt the speech promptly drowned by the crowd's "USA!" the crowd was inspired. On the rebuilt stage that thrust him among the crowd, this said it all for me:

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.

You had me at "country first." The crowd drowned out the last minute of the speech with a deafening roar, and I finally got my balloon drop. God bless America, indeed.

What did you think? Did McCain do his job? Was the speech a winner?

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