VIRGINIA BEACH
Sen. John McCain's effort to seize the mantle of change from his rival, Sen. Barack Obama, found a receptive audience in a Virginia Beach living room Thursday night.
About 25 supporters of the Republican presidential candidate listened intently to McCain's acceptance speech, applauding frequently.
The gathering at the Paulson home in Great Neck was one of about 150 McCain house parties held across Virginia, according to the McCain campaign. Elias Paulson, an attorney, is vice chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party.
Some of the most enthusiastic responses came when McCain spoke of changing the way things are done in Washington - despite the fact that the government has been in Republican hands for most of the past eight years.
"I think McCain will shake up the party," said Mark Hogan. "That's what the Republican Party needs. He ruffled a lot of feathers when he ran in 2000. I liked that."
The group also liked McCain's fighting words about winning the war in Iraq - a familiar refrain to his supporters. Michelle Obetz chimed in with the candidate when he said, "I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war."
Perhaps the biggest ovation of the evening at the Paulson home came after McCain said he had found "just the right partner" in his surprise running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
"She's such a fresh face," said one of the guests, U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake. "She's human. People can relate to her."
Drake lost her scheduled speaking slot in St. Paul, Minn., earlier this week when convention activities were scaled back because of Hurricane Gustav. The two-term Republican faces a challenge this fall from Democrat Glenn Nye.
The evening wasn't all about politics. Until shortly before McCain took the stage, the Paulsons' TV was tuned to the Washington Redskins-New York Giants football game. The Giants won 16-7.
Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
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McCain Not A Friend Of The Military
McCAIN REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST IMPROVED BENEFITS FOR VETERANS
McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational
opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/2008; Boston Globe, 5/23/08 ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)
McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’
health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against
increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005,
2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to
S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt.
3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)
Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for
Veterans’ Hea
This is why
Drake had to leave her husband at the Republican National Convention to come home: so she could watch it on TV.