ANDERSON COUNTY — The date of the Nov.4 general election was misstated in the original version of this story. It has been corrected

It looks as though we have a true presidential contest on our hands: Two gladiators at the top of their game who will fight hard and honorably for a cause greater than themselves.

At the culmination of the Republican National Convention, one thing was crystal clear: Mac is back, and stronger than ever.

For those with good memories, John McCain was the rock star of the 2000 campaign.

A rebel with a cause, he drew media buzz and unprecedented numbers of (young) voters, many crossing party lines — just as Barack Obama has in 2008.

Despite stumbling, for the most part, through his 2008 campaign, McCain’s choice of sassy spitfire Sarah Palin fully reclaimed that edgy, dangerous rock star mantle. Can you imagine how much free publicity McCain will get from a veep who could literally double as Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live?

It also says a lot that a 72-year-old torture survivor didn’t care that voters might question whether this woman — whipcrackingly funny, stunningly attractive but basically unknown and untested — should be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

I’m sure he smiled at the prospect of eroding the Democrats advantage with youth and women. And in cornering the professionally paranoid and “liberal” media — unable to give her a pass but defenseless against sexism charges should they “go after” after this fantastically popular lady.

McCain’s convention speech, too, was classic McCain: populist and pugnacious, with only minimum pandering to a party base that has never liked him.

He returned to the authentic themes that have marked his life and career: hatred of special interests; a desire to reform Washington, a willingness to uphold and defend America’s standing in the world and a determination to do all of these things without caring excessively about whom he offends.

Most importantly, he emphasized, as only he could, this election season’s winning message: a commitment to fight for the ordinary middle-class voter who is suffering through the worst economic times since the 1970s.

The word “fighter” was used 25 times. “Change” was used 10 times.

Taken together, McCain’s veep choice and speech took the battle to Obama’s turf — further proof that McCain’s military experience will serve him well.

The race is now celebrated hero versus heroic celebrity. Change versus change. Anti-Washington versus anti-Washington. A ticket of youth and experience versus a ticket of youth and experience. And both sides’ presidential and vice presidential candidates are carrying and embodying a hopeful, inspiring message to a fearful nation that America’s best days are still ahead.

The best line of McCain’s speech was his last: “We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.”

No matter what happens come Nov. 4, any American who steps into a voting both will do just that. And whatever the outcome, it’s clear this country will have enjoyed the most exhilarating and momentous presidential election in a generation.

Want to grill The Cocklebur? Join him for a live chat online Wednesday at noon. Can’t make it? Submit your questions in advance by visiting www.independentmial.com/chat/upcoming.