The AP saw McCain's alternate reality speech

Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson gets it right:

he policy in the speech was rather typical for a Republican. Pretty disappointing. It didn't do a lot of outreach to moderates and independents on issues that they care about.

The Associated Press' Liz Sidoti, apparently, saw a different speech:

Not merely a Republican. Not merely a candidate. John McCain cast himself as a leader for all Americans, regardless of party or status.

After several days of Democratic bashing by his supporters, the Arizona senator struck a nonpartisan stance and promised that he wouldn't be bound by political party in the White House as he accepted the GOP presidential nomination Thursday before thousands of Republican loyalists [...]

The GOP nominee was making an aggressive play for voters from across the political spectrum - Republicans, independents and Democrats alike who are frustrated with partisan infighting.

Sure, there were a few throwaway lines in which he distanced himself from the Republican brand, such as:

``I don't work for a party,'' he declared. ``I don't work for a special interest. I don't work for myself. I work for you.''

But that wasn't bipartisanship. That was an attempt to distance himself from his party. Gerson is right.