Grayson: McCain needs to contrast himself from Bush in RNC speech

MINNEAPOLIS - Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) said U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) should know the campaign rhetoric he is up against when he makes his nomination acceptance speech tonight at the Republican National Convention.

"The Democratic charge for the rest of the campaign is that McCain represents a 3rd term to Bush," said Grayson on a conference call with reporters today. "He ought to be able to anticipate that."

Grayson's analysis of one plank of the Democratic charges against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee echoes a line from Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech at last week's Democratic National Convention. Obama said "eight is enough," insinuating McCain would be an extension of President Bush's two terms in the White House.

An at-large delegate to the RNC, Grayson said McCain needs to "show voters that he can offer up change."

McCain should "show how he'll be a break from President Bush where it's prudent," according to Grayson and show he will continue Bush-era policies where advisable.

Grayson also suggested the presumptive nominee needs to elaborate how his military experience - which included five and a half years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp - along with the rest of his biography will impact a McCain administration.

"He's got to talk about how his life experience will inform his judgment," said Grayson.

Fielding questions from reporters on a daily "update" call from the RNC, Grayson - a former supporter of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's bid for the White House - said that the entire Kentucky delegation was behind McCain.

"Everyone's on board," he said. "The convention, to that extent, has worked."

Grayson added that the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) as McCain's running mate strengthened the conservative wing of the Republican Party because of her like-minded positions with that sector.

"The selection of conservative running mate certainly helped a great deal," said Grayson.

Grayson, who has yet to meet Palin, said he was hopeful that the vice presidential candidate would visit Kentucky, arguing her presence may help in competitive races in the state.

"It'd be great to have her come to Louisville to help Anne Northup," said Grayson, referring to the candidacy of the former U.S. Rep in the 3rd Congressional District.