NEWPORT NEWS
On his final visit to Hampton Roads before Tuesday's election, Republican presidential nominee John McCain painted himself as the scrappy underdog and stressed Virginia's importance as a key swing state for his campaign.
"Let me state the obvious: We need to win Virginia on the 4th," he told a crowd gathered Saturday morning outside Christopher Newport University's David Student Union. "We've been a couple points down, but we're coming back, and we're coming back in Virginia."
In a half-hour speech before more than a thousand people - mostly young families and students - the Arizona senator spoke mainly of his plans to improve the economy, which he described as being in a "ditch."
"I'm going to make sure we take care of the working people," he said, contrasting his proposals with those of the Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama. "He thinks taxes have been too low, and I think spending has been too high."
In Newport News and at a midday stop in Springfield, a Washington suburb, both McCain and his wife, Cindy, spoke of their military ties. Other speakers at both rallies reminded supporters of McCain's military background as a Vietnam War-era Navy pilot and prisoner of war.
"Between the McCains and Palins, we have three fine men serving active duty," Cindy McCain said, referring to two of McCain's sons and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's son Track.
Later on, John McCain asked all veterans to raise their hands. "I will never let you down, my friends," he said.
"I will bring our troops home with victory and honor," he said later, eliciting a huge cheer and flurry of blue pompoms from the crowd.
The festive, red-speckled audience held hundreds of "Country First" signs. Others, like Rebekah Mundy, brought their own homemade ones.
"Read My Lipstick. Vote McCain-Palin," read the sign toted by the 25-year-old Virginia Beach preschool teacher who wore a red jacket and red peep-toed heels.
Mundy said she was voting for McCain because of his stances on abortion, taxes and the war in Iraq.
Landon Dangerfield, an 11-year-old from Newport News, wore a sandwich board pieced together with two McCain "Country First" signs and stickers for U.S. Senate candidate Jim Gilmore.
"They're voting for McCain, obviously," Landon said of his parents, who arrived around 6 a.m. "So I'm going along with it."
"He would prefer to cut taxes so they're not big," Landon said of the presidential hopeful. "He wants people to do things on their own instead of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. He has more years in the Senate compared to Obama."
McCain has painted Obama as an inexperienced liberal, one with wrongheaded policies on taxes and the war.
"Senator Obama is running to be redistributionist in chief," he said Saturday. "I'm running to be commander in chief."
Both Virginia events highlighted the challenge McCain faces in the Old Dominion, which has supported GOP candidates in 10 consecutive presidential runs but now - according to a variety of polls - leans to Obama.
Reena Del Rossi, a Prince William County resident at the Springfield rally, acknowledged that McCain's task is especially daunting in Northern Virginia, the state's most populous region. A slumping economy that has led to thousands of home foreclosures, plus a large influx of immigrants, has combined to shift once reliably Republican neighborhoods to the Democrats, she said.
Despite beautiful, mild weather, McCain's crowd in Springfield filled only about half of a sprawling parking lot that had been cleared for the event. And as supporters filed out after the event, hawkers had marked $20 "McCain-Palin"
T-shirts down to $5.
With three days left before the election, McCain exhorted the crowd at both stops to volunteer to get out the vote and get others to the polls, saying their work is necessary to deliver Virginia to the Republicans.
"America's worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here," he said. "Don't give up hope - be strong - have courage and fight."
"If I - when I'm - elected president," he began before the crowd erupted in applause.
"Only 72 hours," a supporter shouted, and hundreds began chanting, "John McCain! John McCain!"
At the back of the crowd, a woman toted a baby dressed as an elephant, the Republican party symbol.
But not everyone came in support of McCain. Eric Hartwig, a Christopher Newport University student, held a sign that said, "Obama is not a socialist." Another carried one that said, "Time for Change. No More Lies."
Before the rally began, one McCain supporter shouted: "You people are fools! Foolish Americans!"
McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, appeared at rallies in Florida and North Carolina on Saturday before heading to an event near Richmond. After leaving Virginia, McCain went to Pennsylvania. He also was to appear on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
Obama campaigned Saturday in Nevada, Colorado and Missouri. His running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, was in Indiana and Ohio.
Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com
Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5208, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com
Dale Eisman, (703) 913-9872, dale.eisman@pilotonline.com
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rjs...
If you espouse redistribution of wealth that makes you marxist/socialist, not because she doesn't agree with you. It's because that's what you are. What's the matter? Don't like it when someone calls your philosophy out? My Dad, his twin brother, both my grandfathers, my step grandfather and myself are all veterans. Socialism is un-American. It is a bad ideology that has failed the world over. Why incorporate it here? So even more lazy people can collect a government check and add nothing to society?
Keep the dream alive
General Powell said during a real Republican Convention:
Our vision, first and foremost, rests on values. Values because values are the conscience of a society. Values which must be lived, not just preached. Children learn values by watching their parents in their homes. And values, values fuel families. Families that then have the strength to withstand the assaults of contemporary life -- to resist the images of violence and vulgarity that flood into our lives every day. That's why we Republicans believe that the family, fueled by values, must be restored to the central place in American life if we are to keep the dream alive.
Gov. Palin, you as a grown adult came to Virginia to call me, a retired Veteran, a socialist and anti-American because I do not agree with you. That's not a Republican value, nor is it an American value.
Gasp Gasp
wheeze wheeze wheez........glu glug.......Dont worry GOP, tomorrow we pull the plug on your epic failures and let your campaign die with dignity.
BHO traveled the states
Barack Hussein Obama, don't forget, has traveled to "all 57 states with only one more to go." Obviously he was talking about the Muslim states, because we all know the USA only has 50.
The ONE + The TWO = The THREE = USSA
DUH UH AM
Maybe you didn't notice but Ayers did a little more than plot his bombings! Good grief! LOL! I am laughing at you and gertz!
The Choice Is Yours Hampton Roads
“The gap between rich and poor is getting bigger in the world's richest countries - and particularly the United States - as top earners' incomes soar while others' stagnate, according to a 30-nation report released Tuesday.” - AP
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/21/business/main4535488.shtml?source=RSSattr=Business_4535488
No doubt about it. What the Bush years have done for America, a John McSame presidency can do too. Tomorrow you can vote for McSame’s policy of No Millionaire Left Behind or for Obama’s No American Left Behind. The choice is yours.
For Gertz
Your quote “It doesn't matter to McCain supporters the lies and exaggeration they continue about Senator Obama, and all it shows is their desperation.”
You talk about lies and exaggerations? Let’s talk about the sweet deal Obama got from Rezco on real estate. Let’s talk about Obama and the radical Rev. Wright and Obama’s’ lack of knowledge that he was preaching for 20 years of white American destruction. What about people like Lewis Farrakhan (a radical Muslim) saying his people are the ones who are going to lead in “Universal Change” another commrade of Obama’s calling him the missaih. Least not forgot his association with the terriorst Bill Ayers. Obama endorsed Ayer’s book and not at 8 years old, and started his political career in Ayer’s home. I know the democrats don’t want to acknowledge any of this but you better enjoy your freedom today because if Obama gets elected, you soon will be headed toward socialism. You cannot deny these facts. "Redistribution of wealth"
Tax Cuts
OK, I am not on here to start shouting contests but I do have a legitimate question for Democrats out there. The tax cut plan that Obama has been promoting says that 95% of the country will get a tax cut which equates to those making less than $250,00 per year. Last night I saw a TV ad from Obama himself (not on Fox news) that said it is still 95% of the country but now it is anyone making less than $200,000.
So my questions are:
1. When and why did he cut the line from $250,000 to $200,000?
2. If you cut the amount to $200,000 how does that still affect 95% of the country? It would seem that is you dropped the income level it would affect more people right?
Obmama's biggest problem is
Obmama's biggest problem is himself. His largest flaws are avoiding the meat in any topic and changing direction. In this campaign his course of action has changed on large issues such as his tax plan and Iraq. He says what people want to hear and nothing more. A simple review of his own statements displays a meandering path of promises. I do not intend to simply attack him, but his inconsist and contradicting statements should be noted by all. It will not be his name or associations that prevent me from voting for him but the fact I cannot predict his direction. Nor do Isee where many of the promises would have been possible even in a perfect world.
john dean
As White House Counsel, he became deeply involved in events leading up to the Watergate burglaries and the subsequent Watergate scandal cover up, even referred to as "master manipulator of the cover up" by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).[1] He was convicted of multiple felonies as a result of Watergate, and went on to become a key witness for the prosecution, resulting in a reduction of his time in jail.
Oh yeah...let's all listen to him...I'm sure he has no chip on his shoulder.
Before You Vote
Remember these quotes attributed to President Abraham Lincoln.
"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." (March 21, 1864)
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weaking the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
VOTE McCain Palin
Basist of Bases Isn't Enough to Win an Election
Obama's middle name is irrelevant except to racist xenophobes. What will defeat McCain more than anything else is his focus on racist, nationalist, and paranoid anti-left innuendo rather than on issues. Playing to the basest of bases only turns off a much larger number of more moderate and intelligent voters.
Agree with RJS
mccain is depending on the military vote. believe it or not, there is a military backlash going on. mccain has voted against veterans on several issues, the latest was on the Webb GI Bill.
how could he vote "NO" in the middle of 2 Wars. Its that "suck it up, and drive on" mentality.
as a retired veteran "IM NOT HAVING IT".
VOTE OBAMA!
For A Markowitz
"Polls show that 81 percent of Americans "feel" (in their hearts and their heads) that our country is going the wrong way. How could anyone with such thoughts and feelings vote for more authoritarian conservatism, which has done so much to take the nation in the wrong direction?"
The nation was doing pretty good until the Democrats took charge 2 years ago and would not support restrictions on Fanny and Freddy. Support from Barney Franks, Pelosi, Reid reported everthing was good with Fanny and Freddy, so go look at your democrat buddies. Mc Cain brought out the fact they needed restrictions but the Dems did it again and lied and stated everything is good. Good for them to reap the money, then try to blame the Bush administration. The Dems are pathetic.
VP in the tank for Barack Hussein Obama
A LOT of posts are being deleted if you either post Barack Hussein Obama's complete name or pose questions about his birth certificate, medical records, college transcripts, his family living in poverty and/or illegally here in the US (present the USA, soon to be the USSA if he is elected); also if there are mentions of Ayers, Rev. Wright, Khalidi, how he was able to afford to go to college, his New York college days and addresses, and the list goes on. Just the beginning people. If you questions ANYTHING about this guy, your right of free speech is being squashed. Just the beginning if he is elected.
The ONE + The TWO = The THREE = USSA
TOO LATE SEN. MCCAIN
The era of the Republican party taking the military vote for granted ended with Junior. Rudi, Sarah, Arnold, and Joe the plumber, are not the Republicans that you bring to Virginia with its many bases up north and here down south and every branche of the military present three weeks before the election.
Sen. McCain, the only Republicans left aboard of the Straight Talk Express are Rudi, Sarah, Arnold and Joe the plumber.
Ronald Reagan and Bush Senior would have never ever brought Joe the Plumber. You know very well they had Joe and Mary the Soldier first and they would not have never disrespected Claudia and Colin the General.
And who is Sarah Palin?
VOTE
Just Vote McCain if you want a secure America, he has the experience needed for the times. Obama has not the experience expected of a canidate for president of the US, maybe some third world country but not the US. DON'T VOTE WITH YOUR HEART USE YOUR HEAD AND VOTE FOR WHATS BEST FOR AMERICA! VOTE McCAIN PALIN!
But Regardless of how you "Feel" VOTE.
Tax Payers
Someone made the comment that "many Obama supporters do not pay taxes". The Earned Income Credit makes it possible for some workers that end up with $0 owed, to receive a refund. Keep in mind that these people are WORKERS; they have JOBS.
Do Not fall for the perception that people on public assistance are the benefactors.
btw. I support Barack Obama, I do not have a job AND I still pay taxes. If President Obama needs my money to accomplish his mission, I have no problem paying my fair share.
John Deans Lays Out Why Obama is the Best Choice
John Dean, one time counsel to President Nixon sums it up best in a great article: http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20081031.html
"If Obama is rejected on November 4th for another authoritarian conservative like McCain, I must ask if Americans are sufficiently intelligent to competently govern themselves. I can understand authoritarian conservatives voting for McCain, for they know no better. It is well-understood that most everyone votes with his or her heart, not his or her head. Polls show that 81 percent of Americans "feel" (in their hearts and their heads) that our country is going the wrong way. How could anyone with such thoughts and feelings vote for more authoritarian conservatism, which has done so much to take the nation in the wrong direction?"
Too bad
Bush can't run for 4 more years. Each year I've lived better than the year before. No I'm not rich, I work for a living. After all everyone can't be on welfare.