By Susan Heathfield

Sen. John McCain puts America first. Gov. Sarah Palin puts Alaska first and will soon have the opportunity to put America first. Long known as a maverick and a Republican ready and willing to reach across the aisle, Mr. McCain has repeatedly bi-passed both Republican and personal interests to put America first. The choice of Ms. Palin as his running mate is another example of Mr. McCain putting America first.

So, the theme of his campaign was not a surprise to me. His choice of Ms. Palin as his running mate echoes his own views and repeated actions as a reformer and Republican willing to go after unpopular causes. I disagree with Andrew that Mr. McCain’s choice tamed the mighty maverick. In fact, his choice reaffirmed the maverick for me.

Think back to the Republican debates. The liberal press made much of the “vanilla” look of the middle aged, white male contenders. So, once again, Mr. McCain did what’s right for America. He diversified his ticket; he brought a more conservative voice than his own to the Republican debate.

If Mr. McCain had selected any of the middle aged white males he also considered, the choice would have been wrong for America because he would have guaranteed Sen. Barack Obama the presidency. And, that’s the wrong choice for America.

This week, Mr. McCain continued to make the right choices for America. He scaled back the Republican National Convention. He visited Mississippi to take a look at preparedness for Hurricane Gustav. The campaign made arrangements to take Louisiana delegates home to be with their families. And, as Lahle said, thank God the hurricane downgraded.

Here are my highlights from the first two days of the convention.

In a history making appearance, Sen. Joe Lieberman, former Democrat, now Independent, said it best at the Republican National Convention last evening (you should read the whole thing). He said, “I'm here tonight because John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead our country forward.” He said that both presidential candidates speak about change. But only one of them has a record of accomplishing change – John McCain." Mr. Lieberman said:

“Sen. Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record _ not in these tough times. In the Senate he has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party. Contrast that to John McCain's record, or the record of the last Democratic president, Bill Clinton …”

Two nights ago, former Sen. Fred Thompson rocked the house with an energy and excitement I’ve only rarely seen from him. In fact, if he had projected the Fred we saw last night, he might be the candidate accepting his party’s nomination on Thursday. He emphasized the character, the convictions, the willingness to do battle for right that has characterized Mr. McCain’s career. He questioned the Democrats choice and how it might play in history. About Mr. Obama, he said:

“History making in that he is the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for president. Apparently they believe that he would match up well with the history making, Democrat controlled Congress. History making because it's the least accomplished and most unpopular Congress in our nation's history.”

And, in praise of Mr. McCain’s character, he said:

“This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. “Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, ‘Who is this man?’ and ‘Can we trust this man with the presidency?’”

The answer, of course, is “yes.”

This is both the longest election in American history and the most important. The turmoil in the world requires that America provide experience, leadership, and commitment. Sen. John McCain puts America first. He has demonstrated experience, leadership, and commitment. Sen. Barack Obama, I’m not so sure of what he puts first, after family. Oratory and his fanatical fans cannot tell me why Mr. Obama is good for America.

Mahatma Ghandi said that you must be the change you wish to see in the world. Mr. McCain has lived this philosophy. Mr. Obama? Who knows. His flips and flops for expediency - blind ambition? - are becoming legend.

This week's previous posts (most recent first): The Wreckage, Hurricanes and Elections, Forget the High Road, What This Election is Really About