While the Republican National Convention officially begins today, an alternative gathering called the “Shadow Convention” kicked off yesterday at the University of Pennsylvania. The Shadow Convention is being sponsored by a number of groups concerned with issues like campaign finance reform, money in politics, the war on drugs, and poverty. Groups like—United for a Fair Economy, Common Cause and National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support. This convention is being held every day before the official convention begins. Its line up of speakers this week include people like Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN), Jim Wallis of Call to Renewal, Jesse Jackson and Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange. But this so-called alternative convention is by no means what could be described as a progressive event.

Yesterday was a perfect example. The speaker who kicked off the Shadow Convention was Arizona Republican Senator John McCain. McCain touts himself on being a reformer—he even pulled up to the event in his Straight Talk Express bus. But his speech turned into a major endorsement of George Bush. We go now to that speech of Sen. John McCain.

Tape:

• Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)