Pueblo revs up McCain's campaign
By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News
Published October 3, 2008 at 1:15 p.m.
Updated October 3, 2008 at 5:55 p.m.
Judy DeHaas © The Rocky
People start filling the bleachers inside the Massari Arena on the CSU-Pueblo campus before John McCain's town hall meeting Friday, October 3, 2008, in Pueblo.
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- POLL: Who did the best in the VP debate?
- LITTWIN: Good golly, GOP can exhale once again
- VP DEBATE: GOP says Palin rolled; polls back Biden
- EARLIER TODAY: McCain a hit at Pueblo town hall meeting
- VIDEO: Bob Schaffer rallies McCain supporters in Pueblo
- SLIDE SHOW: McCain's town hall meeting in Pueblo
- INTERACTIVE: See how Colorado counties have voted through the years
- INTERACTIVE: Colorado voting guide and county election information
- ELECTION RESOURCES: Candidate profiles, state-ballot issues
PUEBLO — Republican presidential candidate John McCain, seeking to rebuild campaign momentum after a recent rough patch, got a boost from an unexpected source Friday — a working-class southern Colorado town typically labeled a Democratic powerhouse.
Some 3,500 fired-up supporters packed Massari Arena on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus to cheer on McCain, giving the senator another lift after an emotional town hall meeting in Denver and a credible — depending on who you ask — debate performance by his vice presidential selection Sarah Palin the night before.
"How about Sarah Palin last night?" McCain asked, to kick things off. The answer came in the rally's loudest roar, accented with foot-stomping, sign-waving approval. "I almost felt sorry last night for my old friend Joe Biden. She did a magnificent job."
While partisans have disputed that assessment, the enthusiastic Pueblo crowd embraced it, delivering a much needed energy shot to McCain after more than a week of choppy waters. Even some Republicans, accustomed to their minority status in Pueblo, said they were surprised by the attendance and excitement at the event.
The rally came as the country's economic crisis has given Democratic rival Barack Obama a lead in the polls. And McCain on Thursday surprised pundits by pulling his campaign out of Michigan, a signal he no longer believes he can carry an important state on the electoral map.
The move makes Colorado, already a much-watched swing state, even more critical for McCain, and he implored his backers to get out the vote. He called himself "an underdog" in the race, but added "I've always loved being the underdog.
"This part of the state is going to be critical. You've got to get out all your friends, Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, vegetarians," he said to laughter. "We must and will win the state of Colorado in November."
McCain's visit to Pueblo came as a surprise to locals. The hometown Pueblo Chieftain newspaper reported that McCain was believed to be the first Republican presidential candidate to visit the city since perhaps President William Howard Taft stopped over during the 1912 campaign. The city has given its vote to Republicans just five times in the last 22 presidential elections.
But McCain's appearance here wasn't much of a stretch. Hispanic voters here make up a major voting bloc, and McCain often appeals to Hispanics because of his more moderate views on immigration. Even so, Obama enjoys a 2-to-1 lead among Hispanic voters, polls show.
McCain, a Vietnam war hero, is also a favorite of veterans - he asked all military veterans to stand up during his event - and Pueblo has a significant veteran population. His talk of bringing troops home from Iraq "with honor" drew more cheers.
"Pueblo is home of the heroes," said Kayla Monack, 20, a student at CSU-Pueblo. Monack, along with friend and fellow student Megan Schneider, 22, was impressed that McCain spoke about water and veterans - "Pueblo issues," they said - and appreciated his town hall-style format that saw him take four questions from people in the audience.
"I just think that it's amazing that he came to Pueblo and answer our questions - he picked people from our community and answered their highest concerns," Monack said.
After praising Palin, McCain almost immediately addressed water, a matter he's been talking about in Colorado ever since he told the Chieftain this summer that he thought the 1922 Colorado River Compact should be "renegotiated" over time. That comment drew fire from his critics in a state that fears it could lose water to downstream states. Democrats pounced on it and area Republicans warned him to back off of it.
He did so quickly, and has been emphasizing ever since that he has no desire to change the compact. He did it again Friday, noting "water is too precious," and thanking Colorado for the water it provides Arizona via the snowmelt that fills the Colorado River.
McCain, speaking as the House vote was unfolding to pass a Wall Street bailout plan, also touched on economics. He called the $700 billion plan a "tourniquet" to stop the country's financial bleeding, and emphasized that it's critical to stemming a credit crisis that's preventing people and small businesses from getting loans.
"I'm not interested in helping Wall Street in any way," he said. "But the innocent bystander, the homeowner, those have to be shored up."
McCain said developing America's energy independence would be part of driving the economy back up, and noted that Colorado, with its huge coal reserves, could play a key role in providing "clean coal" for electricity.
He also touted nuclear power, and the need to follow the lead of France, Japan and Britain in preprocessing spent nuclear fuel instead of treating it as waste. Though he didn't state the connection, a surge in nuclear power would also likely have big impacts in Colorado, home to large uranium stores, mostly on the Western Slope.
Joan Bibber, who made the trek from the farming town of Fowler, 30 miles east of Pueblo, said McCain repeated some familiar themes, "but it doesn't hurt become it probably fell on new ears," she said, noting many younger voters in the campus setting.
Misty Gonzalez, another visitor from Fowler, said she was thrilled with the rally. "I'm glad to see these Republicans in Pueblo," she said.
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October 3, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
I_am_smarter_than_you writes:
"Emboldened by running mate Sarah Palin's performance in Thursday night's debate"????
Oh, you mean where she could not put together one understandable sentence? The one where she couldn't answer any questions? Oh, OK. I'm glad he liked it.
October 3, 2008
2:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
radagan writes:
Palin did a terrific job and even in some polls of Dems, her overall approval rating went way up. Biden stood up there and spouted several lies about McCain. So dumber_than_me is going to have to find something else to crow about now.
Lets looks at some issues relating to Colorado - Water, McCain understands Western water rules and laws, Obama wants to treat the West just like its Illinois, same kind of rules and regulations that won't work here.
Colorado is a big Energy producing state, its a BIG part of the economy here. With Obama that is going to decrease, with McCain that will increase.
Banking industry - McCain introduced legislation 2.5 years ago to reign in Fannie and Freddie, Obama has the people who were running Fannie into the ground on his economic team!
McCain has real solutions, Obama just talk.
October 3, 2008
2:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nobama writes:
Yes, but are you smarter than a fifth grader? Based upon all I've read today, I see your reply way over on the far left edge of a bell shaped curve. She certainly met her supporters' expectations, but I think she missed so many opportunites to just rip Biden. He throws out stuff like a shotgun, and expects no one to question it. That's what comes from too many Federal hearings in Washington.
So, you say "she could not put together one understandable sentence" and "she couldn't answer any questions", which are pretty much absolute and finite statements on your part. I'm thinking you either have a learning disability or are delusional. Maybe you can give us some other alternative theories?
October 3, 2008
2:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
UNV_ME writes:
All the polls I have searched have said Palin lost the debate and had trouble answering questions. This includes Fox News. He buried his campaign when she was chosen as VP. If he kicks the bucket... which is a high probability... she will be president. That is unacceptable.
October 3, 2008
2:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nobama writes:
Good job, radagan! You slipped that in before I could hit "smarter than you" where it hurts. Obviously, that's for whom my reply was intended.
October 3, 2008
2:33 p.m.
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Nobama writes:
UNV_ME,
Actually, I wouldn't doubt the polls. But, the technical score on the debate is not so important as the way Palin conducted herself. She shored up her image and held her own. I don't think anybody really expected her to win on points. This election isn't about personal attributes as much as political philosophy. I wished Obama wasn't a socialist, and that neither he nor Biden were Lawyers/Senators. I might be able to vote for them.
October 3, 2008
2:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
Wait a minute, RMN, you're saying that McSame was *emboldened* by Palin's pizzpoor performance against Biden? Wow. A winkie and a "you betcha" right back at ya!!
Good lord, we can't let these clowns anywhere NEAR the White House. McSame has shown his erratic judgment clearly now for two weeks, with the economic meltdown and his "getting involved" by saying and doing nothing at all. He's an embarrassment, Palin is worse and the funniest thing is watching the Rethugs pretending they like this!
October 3, 2008
2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
UNV_ME writes:
For those of you who think Palin did a better job at the debate than Biden... go to google and type in "who won the VP debate" and see what information you find. But then again... why do you need to research the obvious?
October 3, 2008
2:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
mrtaco writes:
my friends, i seem to have misplaced my ability to tell the truth. my friends, though i say i put country first, all of my decisions and stunts are based upon political calculations to further my ambition, not the interests of the country. my friends, i am an out of touch dinosaur. my friends, i am going to lose this election...
October 3, 2008
2:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
UNV
Check again, those Fox results, also: Fox 31 and Drudge.
We're in this economic mess because we destroyed our industries with environmentalism, occupational safety, high wages, unfunded mandates on business, litigation, taxes and globalism. The favorable alternatives produce pain. Americans choose marshmallows over venison.
October 3, 2008
2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nobama writes:
UNV_ME writes:
"For those of you who think Palin did a better job at the debate than Biden... go to google and type in "who won the VP debate" and see what information you find. But then again... why do you need to research the obvious?"
Hey, I watched the debate, which I swore I wouldn't do. I don't need to use google or listen to some CNN analyst to tell me "who won"? This isn't some scholastic debate that was officially judged, it's about our personal opinions. I guess it's not "obvious" after all. I can think for myself, thank you very much. Do you understand the terms "objective" versus "subjective"? No? Then maybe you and "smarter than you" are a lot alike.
October 3, 2008
3:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
UNV_ME writes:
McCainiacs... good luck in November. For the sake of our country I hope you lose. Your candidates are paper thin and have absolutely no ideas that can hold water.
October 3, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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Sundog writes:
"Emboldened" = yellow journalism. The RMN has no evidence of McCain being frightened of Phew-town nor its residents. Julie Poppen: are you practicing up for a gig with the Associated Press? It looks like it and it reads like it, so keep your socks up and your patent-leather shoes nice and shiny and I think you have a real good shot at a job, if there are any left after the collapse of the other lefty yellow rags in the country. Good luck, even though I hate to see biased reporting gain any foothold in "journalism." But the field is pretty much shot now anyway. Reporters with spin and opinions are like p--p chutes; everyone has one.
October 3, 2008
3:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
LuvAmerica writes:
McCain sez:
"I will never see the renegotiation of the Colorado River Contract. Water's too precious."
radagan writes:
"Lets looks at some issues relating to Colorado - Water, McCain understands Western water rules and laws..."
It's "compact", as in the "Colorado River Compact", you freaking water-law geniuses.
October 3, 2008
4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
T1anda writes:
Even Biden said "Obama isn't ready to lead" but, I bet Obama's socialist friends plus his Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, advisors are salivating at the thought of a cabinet post IF Obama is elected!!
October 3, 2008
4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
sheepherder writes:
UNV_ME, you really need to quit googling "The Mesiah" and get some original thoughts. Debates are about YOUR opinions of the debate, not what some news channel or blogger thought of it. I am an independent, and will definately be voting for McCain/Palin. Obama really is not ready to lead this country. He seems OK, but not a leader.
October 3, 2008
4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
youme writes:
Bank Loans Have Not 'Dried Up'
by Alan Reynolds
Alan Reynolds is a senior fellow with the Cato Institute and the author of Income and Wealth.
This article appeared on Forbes.com on October 1, 2008
The frantic congressional push to "do something" about mortgage-backed bank investments has been widely defended with equally frantic claims that U.S. bank lending to business and consumers has been shrinking fast.
On Sept. 24, Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag warned Congress that "short-term lending was virtually shut down." The following day, The Washington Post reported that "tightening [bank] credit conditions are already affecting some consumers and business." Just before the $700 billion deal was announced on Sunday, an alarmed Fox News anchor said, "McDonald's can't even get a loan." (That comment confused a few franchise owners with the company.)
On CNBC Monday, Democrat majority leader Steny Hoyer said the objective of the rescue package is to "unlock the credit" for consumers and business. And a Wall Street Journal editorial writer told CNBC, "Until we get the banks lending again, the economy will continue to contract."
Such alarming comments never mention any facts. Why not? As Neil Cavuto recently noted on Fox Business News, the Fed reports bank loans every week.
Table One
U.S. Bank Loans (Billions of Dollars)
Federal Reserve Board, Asset and Liabilities of Commercial Banks in the United States (H.8).
In August, bank loans to consumers were 9.5% higher than they were a year earlier--the fastest increase since 2004. The year-to-year increase in consumer and industrial loans was 15.5%, down only slightly from a recent record high of 21.6% in March. Real estate loans were up 4.1% for the 12-month period ending this August--flat lately, but not down.
Did bank lending suddenly turn south since August? The latest data is for the week ending Sept.17, when the U.S. expropriated 80% of AIG (nyse: AIG - news - people ) equity and thus tanked most financial stocks. U.S. bank credit hit a record of over $7 trillion in the latest week--up from $6.57 trillion a year earlier and $6.92 trillion at the end of July.
Contrary to many comments, consumer and industrial loans actually increased in the latest week. Troubled giant banks have cut back on lending, but smaller banks have picked up the slack. Consumer and real estate loans dipped insignificantly through Sept. 17, remaining much higher than they were a year earlier.
If all the recent hysterical chatter about lending being "frozen" or "shut down" refers to anything real, it is not about banks loans (through Sept. 17) but about such arcane financial markets as asset-backed commercial paper or loans between banks. But this too is mainly about financial firms, not Main Street. Non-financial commercial paper increased from $156 billion at the
October 3, 2008
4:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
bronco writes:
If you have half a brain in your head you would realize that McCain/ Palin would be a disaster if elected. She's fit for the local PTA, thats about it. We already had a retarded president, why in gods name would some of you want to elect a geriatric senile whack job and little miss hockey mom. Wake up for Christ sake.
October 3, 2008
4:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
bronco writes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/opi...
October 3, 2008
5:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nobama writes:
My secret ambition in life is to host a talk show and only allow Liberals to call in. I would not debate them in any manner, only allow them to respond to specific topics. The following reply would be all it takes to "embolden" my Conservative listeners:
"bronco writes:
If you have half a brain in your head you would realize that McCain/ Palin would be a disaster if elected. She's fit for the local PTA, thats about it. We already had a retarded president, why in gods name would some of you want to elect a geriatric senile whack job and little miss hockey mom. Wake up for Christ sake."
Sensational, exaggerated, degrading, insulting, sexist and even sacreligious. How in the world did he manage to do all of that in such a short paragraph? And I'm supposed to give him any credence for intellect? It's great stuff. Way to go, Bronco!
October 3, 2008
7:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
PonchoVia writes:
Betting odds show Obama the odds on candidate:
http://odds.bestbetting.com/specials/...
http://www.1800-sports.com/presidenti...
October 3, 2008
8:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sue3275 writes:
BE SURE TO WATCH SEAN HANNITY ON SUNDAY NIGHT---October 5th.......
He is doing an entire show about Obama!!!
LOTS of good stuff is going to be discussed/exposed about Obama---including his relationship/associations with William Ayers, Reverand Wright, Father Phlegler, Muslim guy connected to Hamas (can't remember his name), etc.
October 3, 2008
9:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sue3275 writes:
There are still 4 weeks to go.
The Republicans just need to expose something as big as the Reverand Wright issue before then, and Obama will be DONE---he will not have time to overcome the effect.
Can you say "swift boating"!!!
October 3, 2008
10:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
navymom writes:
Okay, I have been extremely busy and out of town lately, but it is now time to weigh in on the debate and put some of you out of your misery.
Sarah Palin, with a wink and a you betcha, said more about how the common person thinks and feels, understands the common person better than Biden or Obama ever will and described the middle class without ever mentioning the words middle class.
Sarah Palin understands that when we continually talk about the middle class, the poor and those the left considers devils, the rich, then we are engaging in class warfare and pitting Americans against Americans.
Joe Biden would not answer questions either and specifically when Gwen Ifil asked him if raising taxes on those who make over $250,000 a year is actually engaging in class warfare, he refused to answer that question and went back to the "it's only fair" mantra of Barack Obama. He even went so far as to say that it will not really hurt small business because very few small business owners make $250,000 a year.
In fact, a great many Subchapter S Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, which are by definition small businesses, gross several million dollars a year and easily make profits of $250,000 for their individual owners. Many of those owners cannot afford to pull those profits out of the companies because that is their operating capital, yet they pay taxes on that money just the same as if they took the cash. If you raise their taxes, you lower their operating capital and risk the loss of more jobs. You also take away the incentive to grow a company. I don't intend to try to grow my business very large if I just have to give most of it to the government.
If Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and any more of the fat cats in Washington, DC are so intent on helping people and putting more money into the federal coffers, there is nothing stopping them from refusing to take a salary and/or donating money to the government to accomplish this. You don't see very many do this do you?
I am off on another business trip, so enjoy the debate and keep them in line Hopi.
October 4, 2008
1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
sawzallartist writes:
hookie-placebo-boy writes
"We're in this economic mess because we destroyed our industries with environmentalism, occupational safety, high wages, unfunded mandates on business, litigation, taxes and globalism."
Manifest destiny didn't kill off your willful ignorance.