Before he died, he drafted a farewell statement (CLICK HERE to read it). McCain was known for his moderate positions on many political issues. He was a man who followed his conscience, even when it meant deviating from his party's positions on any number of topics. In fact, one of his most documented moments was in the 2008 election where he corrected one of his supporters when she made false claims about his opponent (eventual president Barack Obama -- CLICK HERE to watch this moment). Can you imagine a presidential candidate doing something similar today?
As you read his farewell address, where do you see language indicating that he's building figurative "bridges" with his fellow citizens? How does he define what makes America a special place?
McCain bridges Americans together when he tries to relate to everyone by using uniting and inclusive language in his farewell statement: “Like most people, I have regrets but I would not trade a day of my life in good or bad times for the best day of anybody else's.” Aside from “like most”, McCain uses more inclusive language such as “we” and “our” when talking about American values and circumstances. He defines America to be a special place because we are all rooted in the fundamental values our country grew up in: “I owe it to America to be connected with America's causes, liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people brings happiness more sublime that life's fleeting pleasures.”
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ReplyDeleteA word that McCain uses very often in his farewell is “we”. He speaks of the entirety of the US in the form of we, and describes ‘our’ efforts, our successes, failures, challenges as that of a joint force. I think that this language specifically shows that we are a united nation. We are a nation that should together be proud of our achievements, yet also should accept our defeat and shortcomings. This tone of inclusivity gives a sense of optimism to our country’s future. “We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history.” I think that when conveying this grand accomplishment Senator McCain paints our country as one that is quite special and should take pride in these accomplishments, and also be aware of the great potential this country has looking forward.
ReplyDeleteIn the conclusion of Senator McCains farewell he adds that as Americans: “we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country”. McCain ends his address not creating a bridge for his fellow citizens but reminding Americans of the bridge that has always been there, that we as Americans love our country and that out of many we are one.
ReplyDeleteSenator McCain uses inclusive language that makes bridges with his "fellow Americans". McCain uses words like "we" and "fellow Americans" to create figurative bridges connecting everyone together. McCain also reminds everyone that no matter what people's opinions are, "we are citizens of the world's greatest republic". McCain connects people with figurative borders using inclusive language, and reminds everyone that at the end of the day, we are all apart of the greatest nation on Earth.
ReplyDeleteIn the third paragraph of senator Mcaims address he discribes the strength of our Patrick and how just the simple act of being an American connects us all. He tries to bring people togeather by asking them to put more emphasis on what connects people rather than putting emphasis on what divides us.
ReplyDeleteIn his address, Senator McCain uses the terms “we” to describe Americans as a whole. This allows him to build figurative bridges between himself and the people, as it sounds like we are united when describing America’s history and values. Furthermore, Senator McCain explains how he sees America as a special place when he describes what makes the Unites States so great: “A nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world.” Senator McCain states that America is a special place because we use new ideas to advance society for the better. Following what he believes makes America so special, he states areas that weaken our greatness, many of which are due to creating or enforcing borders.
ReplyDeleteIn his farewell address, Senator John McCain connects people by building figurative bridges by using inclusive language. He strengthens this by also acknowledging that we all have differences as well. He states, “We are 325 million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates.” He is acknowledging that all Americans believe in different opinions. And Americans debate them and disagree with each other, but Senator McCain builds figurative bridge by connecting all Americans in a common theme. He says that, “we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. . . Americans never quit, we never surrender, we never hide from history, we make history.” Senator McCain bridges all Americans together by relating all 325 million of us by reminding us that we have a lot in common. He remind that no matter what your beliefs are and how they differ from your neighbor all Americans persevere and tear down walls.
ReplyDeleteIn Senator John McCain's farewell address, he is building figurative bridges by often using the words "we" or "our". By using these words, he is bridging himself with the people, and is speaking in the eyes of an American. He talks about our successes and failures that we as a country have been through together and why in the end it is so great. McCain says how despite of all the challenges we face, America “will come through them stronger than before. We always do.” He is saying how America is a special place because in times of struggles, we become more united as a country and come out better than before. Us American stay connected because of the love for our country.
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, Kevin. Does anyone else have thoughts on where our current political climate is? Do things today seem any worse than in the past? Better? The same?
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain build many bridges with Americans, by being human with them. John McCain connects with the people by stating he makes mistakes and doesn’t use fancy words to stand on the same field on everyone else. John McCain also was able to mention that everyone combined efforts built America.This allow him to relate to the people and give a connection.
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain does a lot to try and mend bridges in America, he does this not by telling us of our bridges and connections but reminding us of our the things that make us different. He uses this because that is what America was founded on, the melting pot or the collage, lots of differences that come together as one. This is the idea that bridges Americans together coming together on their differences and respecting them.
ReplyDeleteJp, I think that this is a very good point about how John McCain tries to bring Americans together. It is also important to notice that he describes many great qualities of country and how this brings people together. He talks about how we have liberated many people from tyranny and poverty, compliments our patriotism, and praises our ideals. McCain also says that even though we all have our own opinions, we need to remember we have much more in common than we think as we live in one of the world's greatest republics. Describing our country in positive ways and showing how this connects Americans is a great technique for building a figurative bridge.
DeleteIn John McCain´s farewell, he helps to build bridges between us as Americans. In the speech, McCain says, "And I owe it to America to be connected with America's causes, liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people brings happiness more sublime that life's fleeting pleasures." (Politico) In this quote, McCain addresses Americans as a unified group using phrases such as "connected" "all people" and "equal justice."
ReplyDeleteEmma, I like your quote because it truly does show how McCain is able to connect himself with Americans. Another quote I found to strengthen the argument that McCain is able to bridge himself with American citizens is when he says, "We are citizens of the world's greatest republic. A nation of ideals, not blood and soil." McCain unites himself with the American society by using the word "we" instead of separating himself from everyone else. This shows that he's trying to provide an inclusive community that he, himself, is apart of.
ReplyDeleteIn John McCain’s farewell address, he builds bridges and connects all Americans. he does this by saying: “Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but are enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.” He is saying that everyone is worth something and everyone has a purpose in America. This unites people because it makes them feel included in a bigger picture.
ReplyDeleteFROM LUKE W.:
ReplyDeleteIn McCains farewell address he connects to the average American by saying: “Fellow Americans, that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American.” McCain used the word “fellow” to show that he associates with the average American. In doing so he shows that he believes he isn’t better than anyone else. He connects many bridges by saying that he is proud to live and die as an American. The reason why he connects so many bridges is because he classifies “American” as one thing. Many people who are different races but are American can connect to him because he said “American”.