9:11pm- They are showing the promo film on McCain.
9:12pm- McCain enters the stage and heads down the catwalk. Will try not to starting singing, “I’m too Sexy.”
9:14pm- The crowd is still clapping. McCain has said about 100 thank yous. Will he beat Obama’s thank yous?
9:17pm- McCain thanks President Bush. Expect the Obama campaign to use that in some ad sometime soon.
9:19pm- He’s thanking his family. Nice, but get to the message, John.
9:21pm- Nice words to the Obama campaign.
9:23pm- Makes a gesture to reach across party lines. Huh, a protester made it on to the convention floor. McCain seems to handle it well.
9:25- Stand on your side and not in your way. That’s a good slogan for a “Sam’s Club Republican Agenda.” The crowd is still excited with Palin.
9:26- Speaks about Palin and frames her as a common woman. Interesting move.
9:31pm- McCain the fighter. He showing himself as taking on the interests. Reminds people of his support for the surge when everyone else was saying it was not going to work.
9:35pm- He is now going after some of the corrupt elements of the GOP. He is casting himself as the agent of change.
9:36pm- Says the party needs to get back to basics.
9:37pm- We’re all God’s Children. Strikes an inclusive note.
9:38pm- He starts rattling off “basic” GOP values. He then starts showing how he is different from Obama.
9:40pm- Are business taxes really that high? I would have thought Europe was worse.
9:41pm- He starts talking about how government can help those who have lost jobs to globalization. For a kid from Michigan, that’s good news.
9:42pm- Education. Talks about school choice.
9:44pm- I know he’s not the best public speaker, but McCain seems nervous.
9:45pm- Drill, baby, drill.
9:46pm- McCain’s energy plan seems similar to Obama in promising new jobs.
9:48pm- Now he’s going to his strength: foreign policy.
9:49pm- Says he wants to establish good relations with Russia, but not turn a blind eye, either.
9:50pm- “I know how to secure the peace.” He establishes that he comes from a line of warriors, but is not a warmonger. He says he use all tools to build a peaceful world.
9:52pm- He starts talking about change. He talks about how Washington must change to match the global change. He starts talking about bipartisanship. Stresses again that he reached across party lines and will do so as President.
9:53pm- “I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not” Regarding his bipartisan efforts.
9:54pm- McCain Administration will set record for transparency and accountability. Hmmm, backhanded swipe at Bush?
9:55pm- Is it me, or wasn’t this supposed to kinda be a town hall style talk?
9:56pm- He retells his story about being a POW. Interesting take on how this experience changed him for the better.
9:59pm- He’s really talking up the whole duty thing.
10:00pm- The experience at the Hanoi Hilton turned him from selfishness to service to the country.
10:01pm- That was definitely a backhanded slap at Obama.
10:02pm- He starts talking about the many ways of service.
10:03pm- “Fight with me.” Wow, he’s got the crowd going crazy.
10:04pm- Speech is over.
Please note: all times are Central.