Cindy McCain

Entered dramatically and emotionally with all her children, earning sustained and heartfelt applause. Then, left alone on the stage and speaking without a podium, she used a hand-held microphone and small walking movements to effect a relaxed style. Unfortunately her slight nervousness and awkward teleprompter read failed to captivate. The audience was respectful, wary, and self consciously welcoming. They responded, a bit relievedly, to the mention of the crowd-pleasing Sarah Palin. Mrs. McCain won enthusiastic applause when she called her husband a hero, and spoke about their two enlisted sons. She seemed to warm to the topic of her impressive good works traveling the world on behalf of children in need, and closed by repeating praise for John McCain as a husband and father. A beautiful political spouse out of central casting, she won points for obviously having spent a lot of time rehearsing and trying to show her heart.

— by Mark Halperin

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