Sometimes we save the best for last.

 John McCain's foreign policy speech was powerful and right on the money.  In his second go-around as a presidential candidate, he's more in touch with the American people than ever before.  He seems less of a maverick and more of a pragmatist.  The last thing we need in the White House is a dreamer and an appeaser.. . or someone who needs to make a name for herself via power. People fault John because he will work with other elected officials. That skill or mindset is essential because a President  MUST  work with Congress and propel his proposals into reality. Drawing lines in the sand because of political labels is foolish; finding consensus is wisdom.

All John's years in the Senate and in the public eye have made him seasoned to media storms and public mood shifts.  His personal and political mistakes of the past were glaring;  he seems to have grown beyond them. He has listened that we want the borders secured asap and that we want the federal budget to stop orbiting in $outer space.

Conservatives need not throw their hands in the air and boycott this election.  John represents respect for life, love of country, determination to provide for the common defense and for common decency.  He will battle earmarks and reign in spending.  He respects traditional marriage.  And the list goes on. His compassionate side is evident and balances his tough side.

 On the campaign trail he is forthright, focused, and unrelenting.  His global foreign-policy message to Americans and to the world  was verbal evidence of his loyalty to his country.  He won't sell out the troops, bringing them home without victory and thus dishonoring the sacrifices of 4,000 of our finest!  We could hear reason in his multi pronged approaches to finding peace and safety for our nation.  The endorsement by Mrs. Reagan is another powerful indicator that he will be the President of a united GOP party.  All the former POTUS candidates have endorsed him.  So should we!  John represents our best hope for a strong, principled, pragmatic GOP president.

When the Fox commentator made a verbal slip and referred to Senator McCain as President McCain, I chuckled because I, too, thought Senator McCain sounded presidential.

Now to the point of my thoughts today.  Various voices keep surfacing to promote Mitt Romney as McCain's VP running mate.  Even one of his former detractors from the Boston Globe said that Mitt is the logical person to balance the ticket.  Another TH writer went so far as to say that Mitt's weaknesses (as the writer saw them) would be Mitt's VP strengths - adding to the balance of expertise and experience  plus bringing in.additional key states.  Mitt has  good character, personal stability, and high level leadership experiences in business, global economy, the world of finance, and state government.  He has brains, courage, and heart.

 And he has the desire to serve - without pay.  How many candidates can you find who say they won't accept a salary but will serve?  Think of the Clintons for a contrast:  Money and power versus service and patriotism.  The combination of John and Mitt is a double blend of  patriotic service appealing to the idealism of the young voters and comforting the older voters, grown tired of selfish politicians feathering their nests.

While we don't like to think of our expiring mortality, John is an older man.  Having Mitt in the wings with his excellent health and high energy should John become sick or die in office is a good safety net for our Republic.  Mitt is a team player and a can-do guy. Now that he's not running for office, people are much more objective about his  heavy weight qualifications. He would fulfill the mandate that McCain receives when elected.  As VP he will give the President his solid support. If the heavy mantle of POTUS slips to his shoulders, a sad nation can look to Mitt to carry that burden with honor and decency.

 His first run for POTUS was interesting, to say the least. He had little name national recognition and few friends in the media world; in fact , he was the media's favorite BBQ!  His image was narrow - that of a business man.  Now his image is that of a statesman and political leader with a comprehensive business and government background.

 His family reflects well on his good character.  One of my favorite Christmas cards this year was a picture of the extended Romney family smiling at the camera.  It was a down-to-earth picture of a good American family. It is a keepsake. (My son worked with Mitt some years ago.)

Obviously, Mitt had grit and expertise and won the admiration of many over the course of his campaign.  The red herring Mormon question was a distraction to Mitt's credentials as a candidate, a distraction that is now history.  Now that the dust has cleared, many of us say we let a good candidate slip through our finger tips.

Mitt was on the Hannity show and displayed no hankering for the VP slot, instead saying that John has at least 20 good people to choose from.  Mitt has sent some of his excellent team over to work for John and is actively supporting John as the best candidate for the White House.  He displays not bitterness, but support for John - and says any Republican would be honored to serve with McCain.

 I hope John lets Mitt have his wings.  What a great team of John and Mitt!  That's a combination to attract the thoughtful voters, young and old, and steer voters away from a false loyalty to the Clinton machine and from Obama's mystical orations about hope.

 We will have substance, experience, and positive leadership.  GO MITT!