McCain Talks to New Jersey Residents

Is Senator John McCain the right man to be the next President of the United States? On June 13^th, 2,000 people at Burlington County College positively responded when he came to speak in a town hall meeting in Pemberton, New Jersey.

The gymnasium was full of McCain supporters and individuals wanting to learn what his political views were on various subjects from taxes to immigration. The town hall meeting titled "Straight Talk with John McCain" allowed the audience to see how he responded to their questions. His manner was relaxed and he repeatedly called the audience his "friends" to make everyone comfortable. Even the music playing in the gymnasium before the meeting reflected McCain's personality. Sounds of "Johnny Be Good" and "Eye of the Tiger" entertained people before McCain started his speech.

According to Senator McCain, this town hall meeting was designed for Americans to hear a candidate's views without the standard grabs for a sound bite. "We need to change the tenor of politics. It's about parties. It's for you. You want a civilized debate with civilized discussions," McCain said. He plans to do more town hall meetings at locations including the LBJ and Ronald Reagan Libraries. McCain also renewed his challenge for Senator Barack Obama to join him for some town hall debates. He added that so far Senator Obama has declined to join the debates.

McCain's popularity in New Jersey was demonstrated by the cheers and the multiple local politicians who praised his political career. McCain used a Harry Truman quote to explain his political friendships with everyone and get a laugh from the audience. "If you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog," McCain said with a smile as he proceeded with his speech. He thanked retiring New Jersey Congressman Jim Saxton for his years of service and praised the attending veterans for their continued bravery.

The biggest surprise of the town hall meeting was when Senator Joe Lieberman, a well known Democrat, came to the podium and endorsed his friend McCain. The irony of a Democrat supporting a Republican for President was not lost on Lieberman either. He said he believed that McCain was the best presidential candidate and that superseded party politics. The audience applauded at Lieberman's gesture and wondered what McCain's connection was to him.

Lieberman briefly discussed his political friendship with the Senator and how McCain fought hard for his beliefs. He added that his candidacy would be no different. Senator McCain agreed with Lieberman that party politics needed to be pushed aside to fix the United States' financial problems. "I promise you I know how to reach across the aisle. We've got to reform how we do business through out-of-control spending," Senator McCain said. He gave a twenty minute speech about his political views and what his plans are if he was elected President.

On the subject of money, McCain talked about wanting to keep Social Security within the American people's reach because he believed that it's their money and no one else's. McCain also talked about how he always put the American people's interest above his own and will continue to do so if he's elected. McCain said that his integrity was more important than his popularity. "I would rather lose a political campaign than a war. I want to keep this country safe," the Senator stated that battles are waged globally and at home too. Choose your battles wisely.

Once his speech was done, McCain answered seven questions from audience members in different parts of the gymnasium and he admitted he was unfamiliar with a bill number for disabled citizens. McCain explained that he generally supposed the idea of helping disabled citizens and would do anything he could to help them live a productive life.

McCain concluded the town hall meeting on a positive note and thanked everyone for coming. The audience applauded and America will find out come November which candidate gets to be the next President. The right candidate.