McCain's victory speech
Posted: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 10:20 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
McCain was interrupted no less than nine times while his supporters chanted for him ("Mac is Back," "USA," and "Michigan," to point out a few). To the delight of his supporters, McCain talked about his comeback status. "I'm past the age that I can claim the noun kid no matter what adjective precedes it, but tonight we sure showed them what a comeback looks like," McCain said at the Nashua Crowne Plaza, where he delivered his victory speech in 2000.
"When the pundits declared us finished, I told them, 'I'm going to New Hampshire, where the voters don't let you make their decision for them,'" McCain continued after a "Mac is Back" chant. "And when they asked, 'How are you going to do it? You're down in the polls. You don't have the money.' I answered, 'I'm going to New Hampshire, and I'm going to tell people the truth.'"
Before McCain approached the podium to speak, his campaign played "Hail to the Chief," although he entered to the theme from "Rocky." After basking in the glow of the his win, McCain got down to business -- telling voters exactly how he would act as their President.
"My friends, I didn't go to Washington to go along to get along or to play it safe to serve my own interests. I went there to serve my country," he said to loud applause and cheering. "And that, my friends, is just what I intend to do if I am so privileged to be elected your President."
Before concluding his speech, McCain told his supporters he plans to win again next week. "So, my friends, we celebrate one victory tonight and leave for Michigan tomorrow to win another." McCain left the speech to the song "Johnny Be Good."
After McCain finished speaking, a man wearing a boot on his head and a Chris Dodd sticker on his shirt went to the podium. Although we could not hear what he was saying, he was engaging the crowd. We are not sure how he got into the rally or what he was trying to accomplish.