WYSIWYG

No styrofoam Greek columns behind him.  No rapelling down from the ceiling with his arms crossed in front of him like Magneto.  It wasn't in the Metrodome.  It was, simply, pure McCain:

There was nothing substantively nor stylistically that I didn't expect.  He payed lip service to most conservative doctrines (low taxes, school choice, culture of life, free trade, "drill, baby, drill"); he didn't level with the nation on the inevitable war with Iran (because, of course, he wants to win); he almost stepped in it on immigration but managed to avoid going over the cliff; he "reached out" again to Rogaine Messiah; he touted his superior bipartisanship to that of his opponent, which is kind of like boasting about having the biggest appendix in the locker room; he touted national service not as an obligation but as a virtue; oh, and did you know he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam?

He wasn't spellbinding; I guess you could say he was quietly inspiring.  Mostly he was calm, sober, serious - dare I say it, presidential - and most other things that Barack Obama is not.

He was Bob Dole getting his turn in nominally more favorable circumstances.  And if he wins, most of those delegates who have cheered him this week will soon be grinding their teeth in frustration as he embraces his good, close, personal friends Crazy Nancy Pelosi and Dirty Harry Reid and compromises away everything he promised tonight.  Because, of course, "putting country first" and "coming together" to "get things done" is more important than doing everything in his power to make sure the RIGHT things get done - and obstructing the WRONG things.  Or, as Magneto once observed to Professor Xavier, "It appears they're not playing by your rules, Charles."

He was....McCain.  And he may save America from the bullet through the heart that would be an Obama presidency; but only by being the bullet that penetrates a less vital area and ensures that our national deterioration is a lingering, demoralizing one instead.

How soon after a McCain victory should I start taking bets on how soon he announces his intention to not run for re-election, leaving an open 2012 field for his good, close, personal friend....Hillary Clinton?

UPDATE: Reading Ensign Ed's review of McCain's acceptance speech, I was struck by a rather interesting mirror parallel between its closing crescendo and one of the Democrat nominee's "spiritual" mentors:

I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what’s right for our country.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children’s future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God Bless you.

Darth Queeg is no fire & brimstone orator, but when he went through this closing section, the Republican delegates cheered louder with each "fight/stand up" line.  And rather than let the cheering and applause die down so he could be heard, he bulldozed ahead in cadence, driving the frenzy ever higher until the roof blew off the XCel Energy Center.

The effect was like....a sermon.  A fire & brimstone sermon.  One of....Jeremiah Wright's sermons.  Only instead of shouting, "GOD DAMN AMERICA!" over and over, McCain cried, "FIGHT FOR AMERICA!  STAND UP FOR AMERICA!"

If you want to grasp the contrast between the two candidates in this election in a nutshell, you won't do any better than that.

UPDATE II: How long until The Chosen One whines that McCain's recounting of how his POW experience humbled and changed him into the true patriot he is today is "an attack on my patriotism"?

UPDATE III: A passage Jay Nordlinger noticed:

"I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need."

Just imagine - all Jesse Jackson wanted to do was whack Barry in the balls.

UPDATE IV: David Freddoso reminds us that the central objective of McCain's speech was to help him win this election - and the Palin pick is what enabled him to make that pitch.

In other words, she is his Dan Quayle in the sense of how George H.W. Bush viewed his young, conservative rising star #2: as a right-wing token to keep the base quiet while he crosses the aisle, puts on the other team's uniform, and sings their fight song.

Which would happen to some extent even if Lord Queeg wasn't the RINO he is, because of two undeniable facts: (1) if McCain wins, it won't be by much, which means the Enemy Media will insist he "has no mandate"; and (2) the Democrats will still control Congress, which means the Enemy Media will insist that he has to...."reach across the aisle in bipartisan fashion to get things done."  Like he would need the invitation.

But don't fear, fellow righties, we'll still have Barracuda to stare at wistfully on the side of our milk cartons as we mordantly munch our bran-stuffed breakfast cereal on the many dismal, gray mornings to come.