Original sentence: In February 2008, presidential candidate John McCain used the word platitude to downgrade opponent Barack Obama:  “Hope, my friends, is a powerful thing,” Mr McCain said, “[But] to encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope
Edited sentence: In February 2008, presidential candidate John McCain used the word platitude to accurately downgrade opponent Barack Obama's extremely vapid campaign speeches:  “Hope, my friends, is a powerful thing,” Mr McCain said, “[But] to encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope