At the Republican National Convention tonight, former Senator and actor Fred Thompson gave a riveting speech highlighting the character of John McCain while blasting away at Barack Obama.

A few gems from the speech:

“We need a President who doesn’t think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade.”

“To deal with these challenges the Democrats present a history making nominee for president. History making in that he is the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for President.”

“Now our opponents tell you not to worry about their tax increases. They tell you they are not going to tax your family. No, they’re just going to tax “businesses”! So unless you buy something from a “business”, like groceries or clothes or gasoline … or unless you get a paycheck from a big or a small “business”, don’t worry … it’s not going to affect you. They say they are not going to take any water out of your side of the bucket, just the “other” side of the bucket! That’s their idea of tax reform.”

“We need a President who understands that you don’t make citizens prosperous by making Washington richer, and you don’t lift an economic downturn by imposing one of the largest tax increases in American history.”

“America needs a President who understands the nature of the world we live in. A President who feels no need to apologize for the United States of America.”

“The respect John McCain is given around the world is not because of a teleprompter speech designed to appeal to American critics abroad, but because of decades of clearly demonstrated character and statesmanship.”