Warm crowd connects with McCain in Denver
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 2, 2008 at 6:32 p.m.
Updated October 2, 2008 at 6:34 p.m.
Joe Mahoney © The Rocky
Republican presidential nominee John McCain laughs while holding a toddler along a rope line after his campaign stop on Thu, Oct. 2, 2008 at Grand Sheraton Hotel in Denver.
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Photo by Joe Mahoney © The Rocky
Republican presidential candidate Sen, John McCain, of Arizona, at a campaign stop in downtown Denver on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2008.
Photo by Joe Mahoney © The Rocky
Republican presidential nominee John McCain works the rope line at a campaign stop on Thu, Oct. 2, 2008 at Grand Sheraton Hotel in Denver.
Photo by Judy DeHaas © The Rocky
John McCain rests his chin on the microphone and pauses in thought before answering a question about veteran's healthcare during a townhall meeting in front of 6-700 women in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Denver, Thursday, October 2, 2008. (JUDY DEHAAS/ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS) **
Sen. John McCain is wrestling with distressing poll numbers and a high stakes debate tonight for his vice presidential pick.
But an enthusiastic group of hundreds of Colorado women seemed to lift up the Republican presidential candidate in Denver today during a town hall meeting filled with touching moments.
Near the end of the one-hour meeting at the Sheraton Grand Hotel downtown, McCain said it was one of his most memorable.
"Maybe because it's a women's town hall," he said, generating loud applause.
McCain expressed confidence in his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose support in the polls has fallen since the Republican National Convention.
The first mention of Palin triggered thunderous applause.
"I know she would be pleased at that incredible response," he said, later adding that Palin is a reformer who has taken on her own party and special interests.
"Sarah has a clear record, a clear record of reform," he said.
MCain also said Palin will deliver a "clear message" during the debate with Sen. Joe Biden, the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.
"Change is coming," McCain said. "Change is coming, and some of them aren't going to like it."
McCain said he has the experience to inspire a generation of Americans to "serve a cause greater than themselves."
"I know how to keep this country safe, and I know how to bring our troops home with honor and victory, not in defeat," he said.
McCain touched on issues that reverberate with women, from the economy to health care. He also said that women are the fastest growing segment of small business owners in America.
Soon after he took the stage, McCain let the audience ask questions. At one point, he singled out a woman because she was holding a baby, and the mostly female crowd reacted lovingly.
One of the most touching moments was when a woman gave McCain a ribbon that belonged to one of the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima.
The woman told McCain it was "to acknowledge the integrity and honor you will bring to this country."
McCain said he was "honored and touched."
McCain plans to go to Pueblo Friday for a town hall meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. The doors open at 9 a.m.
Tickets are free but will be required. For the Pueblo event, call (719) 543-1725.
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October 2, 2008
6:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cawren writes:
McCain’s Volatile Demeanor Disturbing
I would love to play poker with John McCain. He was unable to hide his emotions in a simple debate. Heaven forbid some national catastrophe should emerge needing a calm head. It was clear that McCain was having a very difficult time containing his volatile nature. We have already experienced 8 years of thoughtless, knee jerk reactions. Now combine that with a hot temper.
He could not or would not look at his opponent. How will that translate in to his leadership style? Anyone having a different view will be ignored? We need direction and strength not combustible flux.
October 2, 2008
6:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
VeryOpinionated writes:
Cawren, who anointed you as being qualified to critique McCain and see him as trying to control "his volatile nature?" Sometimes you see what you want to see. I doubt that he was unable to look at Obama, it was obviously a deliberate strategy (which I'm not sure of the reason why). Your arguments are weak and obviously tainted with your anti-McCain bias, and are therefore to be totally ignored!
October 2, 2008
7:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
BenchBoss writes:
VeryOpinionated wrote:
'Cawren, who anointed you as being qualified to critique McCain and see him as trying to control "his volatile nature?"'
Nobody did. It's called freedom of speech. And - Cawren is right. McCain's a friggin' robot.
To paraphrase yourself: "Your arguments are weak and obviously tainted with your PRO-McCain bias, and are therefore to be totally ignored!"
October 2, 2008
7:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Uno writes:
BenchBoss, according to your hero Biden you are the cause of global warming, so quit driving and turn off your computer and lights because you're ruining the environment.
Palin for president!
October 2, 2008
8:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
MileHighPatriot writes:
Obama comes off as a push over. He tells everyone what they want to hear with no plan on how to do it. He ranted his "Change" motto for months w/o explain what or how.
Palin is the governor of a state of the United States. She's no fool. She lacks experience, yes. But how much experience do you need to be VP? They don't do anything!
Ya, I know, McCain could die, and would die if people like 'Cawren' had their way... but so could Obama for the fact of being Black. It's insulting to elude that either would happen.
Sylvester Stalone for President!
October 2, 2008
9:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
DenverTea writes:
No, you are all wrong. Palin is a fanatic/pitbull/flounder/antichoice atrocity. McCain is a very eldery power-crazed good old boy who chose Palin to pull in votes that woulda coulda gone to Hillary. Biden seems to be an average, albeit knowledgable, decent guy. Obama I am reserving judgement on till later, after I have seen more. He seems like the best choice; he truly seems to care about womens issues (for real not just lip service) and he has outlined some of his plan, unlike Mr. McCain. I am looking for more information on his stance on taxes and what size he considers a business to be "big" - I depend on small businesses to continue being the hunter gatherer I am.
October 2, 2008
9:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
Norseman writes:
McLame conceded Michigan. With his advanced age, I guess he just doesn't have the energy to go the distance. Is that how he'll protect America's freedom, by conceding?
October 2, 2008
9:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
diggtbks writes:
Cawren writes:
"He could not or would not look at his opponent. How will that translate in to his leadership style?"
This is a common remark by the left. Maybe those that make it should view McCain in other moments besides at a podium during a debate.
If you watch him, he always turns his upper body and head as one when interacting with people. Its because he can't move his neck very well. He also can't lift his arms above his head. He's like that from serving our country in war.
Got a problem with servicemen who have injuries?
October 2, 2008
9:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
McCain should be treated with some respect and making comments on his physical disabilities should be left at the door. Not being able to swing his head around to stare and smile at Obama for his response has nothing to do with being President.
October 2, 2008
10:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
BenchBoss writes:
Uno wrote:
"BenchBoss, according to your hero Biden you are the cause of global warming, so quit driving and turn off your computer and lights because you're ruining the environment.
Palin for president!"
You actually bothered to type 'Palin for president'. Can't even bring myself to add your inexplicable exclamation. I repeat - you actually bothered to type 'Palin for president'. Thankfully, that won't ever happen. Nor should it.
Also - I never mention Biden as my hero. I don't consider Obama my hero either. Your party has definitely made my decision very easy though. Simple process-of-elimination. Even if I were to vote Republican, I'd be sorely disappointed - "This is all you've got?!??!?! High -school shenanigans from the Old Man and the MILF?". What a joke. It does make for some good Saturday Night Live's though.
October 2, 2008
11:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
taoistblockhead writes:
The next President of the United States - Is there really any choice for people that have even half a brain…? I mean come on, you’re either with the terrorists or against them. And you know which ones I mean.
From the new Oliver Stone moive on Stupid (AKA George Bush)
“Axis of Weasles” (Karl Rove)
“Don’t be cute Karl…” (George Bush)
October 2, 2008
11:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Uno writes:
BenchBoss, I think Palin done well tonight, especially considering that she is an outsider and had to come a long way in 5 weeks, under high pressure in a hostile liberal media environment, already ridiculed to no end. Do you guys seriously think that ridiculing her in the MSM relentlessly every day and on Youtube will change my mind? All it did is to reinforce my belief that she is has strong enough character to handle high pressure situations and the pressures of a higher office. She proved her self, and handled it well and made Biden look that much worse with his decades of experience.
October 3, 2008
12:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
BenchBoss writes:
Hey, Uno:
In all fairness, you'd probably do well after 5 weeks of intense media coaching. Many people would. That does not a VP make. I'm sure Sarah Palin is a fine person and quite a conversationalist. I think Joan Allen would be great too. She looked pretty political in 'The Contender' but that doesn't qualify her either.
You gotta get past this 'liberal media' myth. It's tired and untrue. It belies weakness and loss of control - that, somehow, conservatives are helpless when dealing with news outlets and the general public. It's hiding behind a fake enemy - basically dorks with pencils and TV cameras. We demand that our elected officials perform on a hostile world stage but you're afraid of journalists on our own soil? Reporters are paid by companies owned by corporations - they're not just writing anything & everything they want. They have bosses to report to, papers to sell, ad space to clear.
Last time I checked, these were hardly 'liberal media':
The Wall Street Journal
Fox News
Clear Channel
MSNBC
Matt Drudge
Rush Limbaugh
CNN
Rocky Mountain News
and on and on......