Friendly Fire: United for McCain for Obama: part 2

This much is clear: John McCain knows that only one man can put this country on the right track, and that man is Barack Obama. The odds that McCain will endorse Obama before the election are extremely good. One question remains- when will he announce?

Yes, JD, the October surprise is a fun political tradition, and an October endorsement would fit the McCain campaign’s reputation for improvisation. But if McCain wants his endorsement to make a grand, unifying impact, he needs to roll out the endorsement formally and with care.

That’s why McCain should endorse Obama on his largest stage- the Republican National Convention in September.

The party Convention is a venerated political tradition. Many Conventions have siezed the nation’s attention and entered the history books; for instance, the turbulent 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention, or the 2004 Convention speech that put Obama on the map.

At this year’s DNC, Obama will deliver his acceptance speech on the 45-year anniversary of King’s I Have a Dream speech.

Now, we know that McCain is a proud man, and although he clearly wants to endorse Obama, he still has a sense of humor and a competitive streak to him. So of course McCain should make his Obama endorsement in his convention speech, because it’s the only way he can upstage Obama’s speech while still paying proper respect to our next President.

Imagine: Thousands of Republicans at the convention, clapping their hands, cheering, the buzz in the air growing as they eagerly anticipate a speech by their favorite candidate. Instead, John McCain takes the stage. At first there is a disappointed hum in the room, until McCain announces:

I know that, in addition to my demeanor and mannerisms, my policies have distressed many American families. Well, I hope to change the change that you believe in:

And as Obama emerges from behind the curtain and greets McCain with a hearty handshake, the crowd cheers uproariously.

Such a move will spare McCain millions in campaign expenses over the fall, and ensures that the remaining debates between himself and Obama will be fun and breezy, rather than ugly and facty. Plus, by making his endorsement as smoothly and early as possible, McCain puts himself in prime consideration for a cabinet position or perhaps an ambassadorship.

Vote McCain voting Obama at the Republican National Convention.