McCain on economy, 'dirty stuff' in SC
Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2008 3:11 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- McCain, recognizing the importance of a struggling economy -- on the verge of, if not in, a recession -- as an issue, addressed it here just two days before South Carolina voters head to the polls in the Republican primary.
But unlike Michigan, where the the economy was front and center and telescoped for that specific audience (auto and manufacturing jobs), McCain spoke in broader terms -- about tax cuts that need to be made permanent, repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax and cutting spending -- to this crowd of about 300 or more supporters and about 100 more members of the media. The Bush tax cuts are something McCain voted against, though he says it was because of earmarks in the legislation. Other Republican campaigns don't buy that explanation.
McCain tried to sound an optimistic note. “I have faith,” he said, “I have confidence in the economic future of this country.” Later: “We’ll get through it. Our best days are in front of us.” And he implored, "We're gonna do it. We're gonna do it."
McCain admitted, “I don’t know all the answers" but promised to surround himself "with the best economic advisers.” The core of his message: “Pro-growth, less spending."
'Garbage in the mail'
McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), a key McCain ally here, for at least the second time today also lambasted what Graham called, “garbage in the mail. Don't believe it."
“There’s a lot of dirty stuff going on; ignore it,” McCain said.
And, in her introduction of her husband, Cindy McCain said that adopting a baby from Bangladesh was her idea, that she couldn’t turn away a baby with a cleft palate, a baby who Mother Teresa herself suggested Cindy McCain bring to America.
“Where’s she going to go?” Cindy McCain said was her husband’s response when she arrived at the airport in Los Angeles, baby in tow.
“I thought she’d come home with us,” Cindy said. She then praised her husband for his warmth and for welcoming the child into their home. The candidate, standing beside her, smiled and nodded slightly as she told the story.
Of course, McCain fell victim to a whisper campaign here in 2000 that he had adopted a black child. This time around, the McCain campaign is heading these rumors off, taking no chances with whispers, mailers and phone calls -- of which there have been plenty. In fact, Graham said during a news conference following McCain’s speech that one supporter reported receiving in the neighborhood of eight to 11 negative calls today alone.
Relaxed, pumped up
McCain, who looked enthused when he took the stage, pumping his fists at his sides at times as he listened to the introductions -- of which there were plenty -- opened with a series of jokes now familiar to those who follow him. He teased his wife for injuring her knee while -- shopping, he says after a pregnant pause, eyes rolling away, eyebrows rising. He prodded the crowd for job opportunities for his art major daughter, who recently graduated from Columbia University, “that bastion of conservatism,” as McCain puts it.
He roasted Sen. Lindsey Graham as a “jerk.” “First, he’s a lawyer,” McCain said, before rolling off this old joke. “You know what the difference is between a lawyer and a catfish? One’s a scum-sucking bottom-feeder, the other’s a fish.” Eye rolls from the entrenched press corps, but hearty laughs from the grey-haired faithful.
Some things are clear of McCain supporters. “I don’t always agree with him, but…” is the usual refrain. But “he’s a hero,” one man said. “But more than that,” another woman began. “He can reach across the aisle and get things done.” It’s an older crowd, for the most part, many veterans. And what they like about McCain can be heard by those who introduced him: “We need a president with backbone…a true Commander-in-Chief.” … “We know what the military is all about in this state.” … “South Carolina is going to set the tone.” … “McCain will get bin Laden.” “Those who served will turn out for him.”
Underscoring the importance of turnout -- in his favor, of course -- McCain leaned down and toward the audience from the stage and implored them sharply and in staccato, “I need your vote. I need your vote. I need it.”
