On Wednesday at the NAACP, a pro-Obama crowd received a surprising speech from Senator John McCain.

McCain began the speech with praises for his rival and the crowd cheered him for his honorable address to Barack Obama.

McCain focused a portion of his speech on education reform saying “Education reform has long been a priority of the NAACP, and for good reason. For all the best efforts of teachers and administrators, the worst problems of our public school system are often found in black communities, [...] Black and Latino students are among the most likely to drop out of high school. African-Americans are also among the least likely to go on to college. After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms. That isn’t just my opinion; it is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children”

At the end of his speech McCain complimented Barack Obama: “[whatever the outcome], Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing — for himself and for his country — and I thank him for it.”

CNN Video of McCain complimenting Barack Obama.

McCain received a respectful standing ovation for his great speech.

Venitta Barnett, an NAACP member and Obama supporter, said also was glad McCain spoke before the group: “I came, and I was open-minded, and I listened, and I was more surprised that I am open to what he was saying. He is not everything that I heard that he was about. He is more people-oriented, so I am open.”

Gretchen Woods, an undecided voter, said she found McCain’s speech “informative and very interesting.”

“I had intended not to come, but now that I am here and actually heard it, I think I made the right choice to come and hear it,” she said.

“After hearing him today, I may listen to him again.”

Is it surprising that when opposing viewpoints and speeches are heard a feeling of enlightenment occurs?

American voters need to look closer to both candidates critically. Rather than pretending like as if they are part of a team in a football game they should act like they are choosing the best person for a job. They need to act like the boss that interviews a college kid and reads his resume for a job opening.

One of the most important lessons many US Government and Politics teachers tell students is that you should fairly observe both candidates regardless of their party. Such teachers say that you should never vote for your party but for the candidate.

In my case, in a period of months I had visited and read many of the “Issues” and “Policies” section of HillaryClinton.com, BarackObama.com, and JohnMcCain.com. I examined their policies, their promises, their history (or lack thereof), observed their speeches and concluded that Senator John McCain was the more experienced and better informed candidate for president. This doesn’t mean that my conclusion will not change tomorrow and therefore I do not remain “nationalistic” or obsessive about any one candidate.