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McCain vows victory, promises fix for flagging economy

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his wife Cindy, arrive at a rally in La Crosse on Friday. AP Photo by Gerald Herbert

By CHRIS HUBBUCH
Lee Newspapers
Friday, October 10, 2008 10:29 PM CDT

LA CROSSE -- Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain said this morning that Wisconsin is key to winning the election.

He spoke before a crowd of supporters in the La Crosse Center's South Hall.

In a 21-minute speech, McCain touted his plans to fix the flagging economy -- including a proposal to refinance mortgages for homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

The Arizona senator’s visit came just nine days after his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, held a rally in the street outside the Center and as recent polls have shown him trailing Obama by 10 percentage points among likely Wisconsin voters.

McCain proclaimed himself the underdog but vowed to fight back.

“How many times have the pundits written off the McCain campaign?” he asked. “We’re going to fool them again.”

McCain questioned Obama’s readiness to lead.

“Which candidate’s experience in government and in life makes him a better candidate?” he asked. “At a time of trouble and danger, who will put our country first?”

The crowd responded with a chant of “John-Mc-Cain.”

McCain's speech drew Paula Betlach to the rally.

“I respect him, I respect his military service, I respect his long record of no working just with his party,” Betlach said. “I respect his support of decreasing corruption in government. He’s consistent with his viewpoints, which makes me believe in him.”

Andrea Ehrat became a re-energized McCain supporter at the rally.

“There was just a lot of energy and that’s good,” the 21-year-old Western Technical College student said. “I feel positive we can get the state.”

McCain’s visit brought more hostility than Obama’s downtown rally Oct. 1, with a small group of protestors assembling outside the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites on Second Street before and after McCain’s speech. One woman shouted “liar” during the senator’s speech, prompting the crowd to immediately begin chanting “USA” in retaliation.

PLEASE NOTE:

Comments on stories that are updated may disappear with each update. The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Chippewa Herald.

COMMENTS:

beyondgreen wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:44 AM:

" How about giving us a plan to become energy independent. Very little is being said about the link of our dependence on foreign oil and it's exorbitant price and the rapid decline of our economy. The high cost of fuel drives up the cost of food and EVERY consumer product. Families are suffering tremendously from filling up the car to paying electric and heating bills to the rising cost of food. There is little to no money left over to save or invest. Jobs and homes are being lost at a record rate with no end in site. We need to utilize natural sources of energy such as wind and solar as well as integrate all modern technology such as hybrid cars, plug in cars, bio fuels etc. We have the technology and knowledge what our nation seems to lack is a plan of action. We are drowning in our dependence on foreign oil.. I just read a book called "The Manhattan Project of 2009" by Jeff Wilson. I think maybe we should elect him for president! he is brilliant so is his book "

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an80sreaganite wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:12 PM:

" Great story... Good details of McCain's platform. As for the "protestors", are they for real? At Obama's rallies they chant O-BAM-A. At McCain rallies they chant U-S-A. Are they seriously calling McCain a liar? They have to be kidding.

B. Hussein Obama lies about everything. His most repeated lie is about lowering taxes for 95% of the people. I'm sorry, but last time I checked only 45% paid taxes. Does that mean that those folks will get a check from the government? Income redistribution, anyone? "

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