1:02 p.m.: McCain ends by saying rural Pennsylvanians are not “bitter” and clinging to their guns and religions because they’re disenchanted with government and the economy:
“Judeo-Christian values they hold dear is the strength of America. They’re the reason why the people in Georgia today are looking to America.”
Gettin’ on the Straight Talk Express. Keep checking back in at the Nest for more updates. McCain’s on his way to Lancaster …
12:54 p.m.: McCain’s calling for a $5,000 tax credit for families to “go across state lines” and choose a health care policy.
12:50 p.m.: McCain gets a question about how to keep college costs down, and he provides no details whatsoever about how he would achieve it. He says it’s a major problem, but no real plan to address it.
12:42 p.m.: A question about whether he’s conservative enough to oppose “socialistic programs promoted by Sen. Obama and the Democrats.” His answer: “Yes” but no further explanation to say he’ll nominate Supreme Court justice candidates like John Roberts and Sam Alito.
12:38 p.m.: McCain says his plan to build 45 new power plants and provide incentives for more hybrid cars will create “millions of new jobs” and break our independent on foreign oil imports.
12:30 p.m.: McCain promises in the next four years the United States will be “largely” out of Iraq “based on conditions on the ground, not according to a set date for withdrawal.”
12:27 p.m.: McCain calls for an increase in funding for post-traumatic stress disorder treatments for veterans.
12:23 p.m.: McCain’s talking about charter schools and school choice as a means to create competition and upgrades in schools, particularly in low-income areas:
“In many low-income parts of America, there is nothing that is different from the blackboard and the eraser and chalk. We have to upgrade our education system in our low income areas. This is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.”
12:21 p.m.: The Q&A is about to begin. Wonder if he’ll get an abortion question from this crowd.
12:16 p.m.: McCain calls for more nuclear power plants to be constructed. “We’ve been sailing navy ships around the world with nuclear reactors on them, and there’s never been a serious accident.”
12:14 p.m.: Big reaction to McCain’s call for energy independence, noting how we import oil from Asia in huge amounts:
“Another reminder that it’s time we get serious about our energy crisis and stop sending $700 billion overseas.”
12:12 p.m.: Tepid applause in response.
12:06 p.m.: McCain’s on the Russia-Georgia conflict, and he mentions a vital oil pipeline that goes through Georgia and suggests Russia wants this region under its control:
“History is often made in remote and obscure places, and it’s being made in Georgia today.”
He notes 2,000 Georgian troops served along American military in Iraq.
McCain suggests sending in an international peacekeeping force in the separatist regions. “We must make clear to Russian leaders the benefit they enjoy for being part of a civilized world they must respect the values of peace in that world,” he said.
12:02 p.m.: McCain starts out praising Tom Ridge’s work as the former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “It’s not been an accident that’s there never been another attack on the United States of of America.”
11:56 a.m.: Lots and lots of references to the Russia-Georgia conflict, which appears to be an open door to tout McCain’s experience. No word as to whether McCain would commit American troops in such a conflict though.
11:54 a.m. Lieberman’s introduction:
I am supporting John McCain because he is ready to lead America forward.
In doing so, I’m just following the role model John McCain’s been. He’s always put America first.
11:50 a.m.McCain arrived by pulling the Straight Talk Express into the arena. Amazing. Joe Liebermann and Tom Ridge are with him. I mean, literally, the bus is inside the crowd while Van Halen’s “Right Now” is cranked out of the speakers. Talk about a rock star entrance.
11:35 a.m.: A surprising standing ovation for Sen. Arlen Specter, who looks pale, thin, bald but in no way frail after finishing his chemo treatment. I say surprising since Specter is well-known to be a thorn in George W. Bush’s side and a reputable moderate, and this is decidedly Bush territory.
Here’s what Specter said about the current crisis between Russia and it’s former territory, Georgia:
That is a man who is ready for the job in a very troubled and very dangerous world. Every day we see a new problem. We see a problem in Iran with their developing a nuclear weapon. We see the problem still festering in Iraq. And most recently we’ve seen the Russian bear invading the nation of Georgia. And with the problem of terrorism, John McCain is tailor made for the job … .
John McCain has had this position of supporting Georgia and warning Russia for some time now. He’s the man for the job at this critical time in world history. Let me tell you, my fellow Pennsylvanians, we have a very high calling. It may well be the election will be decided by Pennsylvania.
11:18 a.m.: Yeeeee haaaaw! A local bluegrass band just broke out and the fiddler’s got that bow skipping across those strings. They’re into a version of “This Land Is Your Land.”
As one reporter sitting with us in press row said: “If the Republican Party wanted to make John McCain look more youthful than his 71 years, not to mention build diversity in the party, bluegrass may not achieve that objective.”
11:14 a.m.: I forgot to mention there’s about 2,500 people in the arena.
11:10 a.m.: U.S. Rep. Todd Platts just took the stage to get the crowd riled up, and he asked any veteran to stand to be recognized. Astoundingly, about a third of the crowd turned out to be veterans.
10:31 a.m.: John Fortier of the American Enterprise Institute penned an article at Politico.com about how if elected McCain would lead from the White House. One noticeable contrast, Fortier predicts, is McCain’s willingness to accept advise outside his inner circle and willingness to shake up his staff if things aren’t going his way.
And McCain’s ability to get along with those outside his party means with a Democratic congressional majority, the chances for gridlock may diminish:
McCain as president would face a very different situation than Obama. A McCain victory would not be a Republican Party victory. He would almost surely come into office with increased Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress. McCain’s good relations with several key Democrats may make him better suited than other Republicans to govern with his party in the congressional minority. Yet it will likely pose some challenges.
With McCain’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility, lower spending and cutting congressional pork, a McCain presidency would likely see vetoes of appropriations bills and budget showdowns with Democrats. On this front, McCain would probably find strong backing from his Republican colleagues, who while in the minority would support fiscal restraint wholeheartedly.
McCain may also find that he has the possibility of a grand bipartisan deal on issues like global warming. While Obama as president would likely also push measures on this issue, he would find himself with virtually no Republican support. Still, one can imagine McCain bringing enough Republicans behind a bill to combine with Democratic support to pass a modest bipartisan compromise.
Hopes for regular bipartisanship will probably be dashed because Washington is a polarized town. Differences over Iraq policy may further poison the well. But if handled correctly, McCain’s congressional career has prepared him to govern effectively in an era of divided government.
9:55 a.m.: McCain is apparently stopping at the Harley-Davidson plant in York for some interaction with workers there, and Barack Obama’s campaign just released a new radio ad:
Audio
(motorcycle roaring in background)
Listen to John McCain speaking to motorcycle enthusiasts in Sturgis, South Dakota on Tuesday.
“Not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I will
take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day.”
But when it comes to his record, American-made motorcycles like Harleys don’t matter to
John McCain.
Back in Washington, McCain opposed a requirement that the government buy American-
made motorcycles.
And he said all Buy American provisions were quote “disgraceful.”
Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
This is the same John McCain who supported billions in tax breaks for companies who
ship American jobs overseas …
(motorcycle roaring in background)
It’s time to hear the roar of a strong American economy again, and stop John McCain
from shipping our jobs overseas.
“I’m Barack Obama, candidate for President and I approved this message. Paid for by Obama for America.”
9:47 a.m.: Good morning! Thanks to a flavored latte from Prince Street Cafe, I’m caffeinated and wide awake for today’s townhall meeting with John McCain at the Toyota Arena in York, Pa. Huge line waiting for the Arizona Republican snaked around the building when we arrived (Intell intern Stephanie Weaver is with the Nest, today). Country music’s blaring over the speakers (seriously, if McCain wants to appeal to younger voters, let’s get some WXPN on the stereo). Two hours before McCain is scheduled to arrive, so keep checking back with Bird’s-Eye View to follow today’s events.
