naval academy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – There will be a familiar face in the audience Friday morning when President Obama delivers the graduation speech at the United States Naval Academy here: John McCain of Arizona, the Republican senator, former presidential candidate and – more importantly in this case – father of a graduating midshipman, Jack McCain.
The speech will be Mr. Obama’s first military academy graduation address as president – a rite of passage for any commander in chief. A senior administration official, previewing the address, said Mr. Obama would use it to “discuss our shared commitment to uphold our fundamental principles and values because they help keep us safe’’ – in effect, a recap of the argument he made Thursday at the National Archives in Washington.
The president also intends to praise the graduates, the official said, for “embracing the virtues we need most right now – self-discipline over self-interest; work over comfort; country over self.’’ If that last phrase – country over self – sounds familiar, perhaps it is because it evokes memories of Senator McCain’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Country First.’’
The speech will be Mr. Obama’s first military academy graduation address as president – a rite of passage for any commander in chief. A senior administration official, previewing the address, said Mr. Obama would use it to “discuss our shared commitment to uphold our fundamental principles and values because they help keep us safe’’ – in effect, a recap of the argument he made Thursday at the National Archives in Washington.
The president also intends to praise the graduates, the official said, for “embracing the virtues we need most right now – self-discipline over self-interest; work over comfort; country over self.’’ If that last phrase – country over self – sounds familiar, perhaps it is because it evokes memories of Senator McCain’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Country First.’’
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