McCain concedes

By Jim Moore, KOIN political analyst, Pacific University professor

John McCain mentioned Barack Obama throughout his speech, giving a strong plea for national unity after conceding defeat.

With a strong call to “get the country moving again,” McCain gave the last major speech of his political life. He will not achieve his dream of becoming the president of the United States.

The moment at the Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona, was bittersweet, but not unexpected. We know that because McCain started his speech just 20 minutes after the networks called the race for Obama. McCain saw the same information we all saw­.

With a last plug for the Palin family, and a bit of a hint that Governor Palin might just seek the 2012 nomination, McCain ended his 2008 campaign.

A strong farewell from a person strongly committed to public service. And now, a partner of some kind to President Obama as the new Senate convenes in January.