John McCain Visits Tampa, Florida, On His 'Road to Victory'

John McCain brought his "Road to Victory" Campaign Rally to Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, September 16. With doors opening at the Tampa Convention Center at 9:30 a.m., it took until nearly 11 a.m. to get everyone through security checkpoints and into the auditorium.

Those waiting to enter ranged vastly in demographics: high school students who got excused from school to attend, senior citizens and people of all ages in-between, wearing anything from blue jeans to business and dress clothes. John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin were the main topic of discussion as the crowd climbed the stairs. Initial counts of the number of people in attendance are ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 and the convention space was packed to standing room only.

Here are some highlights from this John McCain Rally.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner, first up to speak was Mayor of neighboring St. Petersburg, Rick Baker, who stated, "America is the greatest country in the world, with its best days still ahead of us..."

Of Sarah Palin, he said, "I don't care if you like her lipstick or not - if I'm in a fight, I'd like her in my corner." And of McCain, Baker said, "I was mayor during 9/11. When faced with a challenge like that, you don't want someone who may surrender when the going gets tough. You want someone who will stand firm, and that one candidate is John McCain."

Florida Representative Rich Glorioso (District 62) accentuated that McCain was all about putting "Country First" - a motto that was posted in the room on huge banners.

"We have an enemy out there who wants to do away with our way of life," Glorioso stated, "McCain and Palin are not going to let that happen..." "...McCain has flown more planes than Senator Obama has been on in his entire life..." "When our enemies are trying to kill us, I want someone who will take action, not vote 'Present'." Glorioso added that Palin would not be the first Governor to run on the ticket with only two years in office: "Teddy Roosevelt also had only two years as governor."

Kevin Ambler, also from Florida's House of Representatives (District 47), centered in on the economy:

"When the Democrats took control of Congress, foreclosures started happening, gas prices went up, banks started going out of business. Congress has done nothing. How much more change can all of us stand?"

Longtime and popular Representative Faye Culp (District 57) also appeared, stating she has known Sarah Palin for some time and vouching for her leadership abilities.

At about 12:00 noon, Secret Service escorted Republican Presidential nominee John McCain to the podium. He shook a few hands as he entered, accompanied by his wife, Cindy; U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, former Florida governor Bob Martinez (also a former Tampa Mayor), and Jack Kemp, former Congressman and 1996 GOP Vice-Presidential nominee. They stood behind McCain on the podium while he spoke.

McCain's main thrust during his 18-minute speech was the damage done to our economy by Wall Street recklessness and greed. He admitted America's economy is "broken" and in need of repair.

"We've got to fix Wall Street...corporate greed is putting our economy in danger. Let's put an end to the self-interest, corruption and greed that has made Wall Street go downhill."

"The government has a responsibility to act in defense of the public interest - that's exactly what I intend to do..." "Too many people on Wall Street have been recklessly wagering instead of making the sound investments we expected of them. And when their companies collapse, only the CEO's seem to escape the consequences. While employees, shareholders, and other victims are left with nothing but trouble and debt, the people who helped cause the collapse make off with tens of millions...I will not stand for it anymore."

He promised the kinds of reforms that will stop putting our markets at risk.

"Two years ago, I tried to warn Congress about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae being in trouble. They waited too long..." "Some members of Congress measure bank success by the size of their political contributions..." "Honest people on Wall Street will have a friend in the White House. When any Wall Street operator abuses the public interest, they'll have a fight on their hands..." "Pork barrel projects WILL be stopped."

He then turned to the gasoline crisis: "We can't afford to send $17 billion overseas to countries who don't like us very much," McCain said. "This means we must use nuclear power and drilling offshore. (Barack) Obama opposes nuclear power and drilling offshore." He added that drilling offshore is not the best or final solution, but a way to start getting there.

McCain closed with, "I want to be President because I believe I can inspire Americans to serve a cause greater than their own self-interest."

There were many rounds of applause during and after the speech. Before exiting, McCain went to the opposite end of the room from where he had entered, shaking hands and allowing photo opportunities while walking back the other way.

Outside, there was a group of about 20 protesters whose posters peacefully came face to face with those of McCain supporters. As the cavalcade of cars and police motorcycles carried McCain away, the dispersing crowd was under the watchful eye of security and mounted police.