McCain: 'I will listen to all people'

Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008 12:59 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and Carrie Dann
SELMA, AL -- McCain's "Time For Action" tour is just beginning, but he's already facing tough questions about how effectively the presumptive Republican nominee hopes to win over black voters in some of the nation's most economically depressed regions.

McCain appeared this morning in front of the historic Edmund Pettus bridge, where civil rights leader John Lewis led the famous March from Selma in 1965. Praising his herosim, the Arizona senator linked Lewis' struggle to the ongoing effort for economic equality in America. But in a city that is 70% black, only a handful of African Americans dotted the crowd.

Asked by the press if the relatively homogenous crowd demonstrates the difficulty he may face in carving inroads to the black community, the senator responded that his own ears -- and not just those of his audiences -- will be fertile ground.

"I'm aware of the challenges and I'm aware of the fact that there will be many people who will not vote for me, but I'm going to be the president of all the people," he said. "I will work for all the people and I will listen to all people, whether they decide to vote for me or not, because this is the kind of opportunity where people have not only to hear from me but for me to listen to them, and that's the important part."

McCain's "Time for Action" tour this week will focus heavily on places rarely visited by Republicans, as he tries to frame his candidacy as a conservative who will not forget the woes of all Americans. He said today that his main goal is to listen to voters, not just to court them for their support.

"I'm going to places, frankly, in this country where there's the greatest need, and whether at the end of the day they choose to vote for me or not is not my major purpose," he said. "My major purpose is that if I understand the challenges -- and they are enormous -- that they face today, I will be a far better president of the United States."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

President for all americans, except for [fill in the blank...I'll get you started, blacks, gays, the middle class, non-evangelicals...]

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:17 PM)

71 years old and he's only NOW getting around to visiting "where there's the greatest need?" MCain just wants to be President so he can play General in Iraq.
Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 1:21 PM)

You liberals only visit when it is election time and you tell people to skip their 12 pack of beer and give them money,

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:18 PM)

Tom Jones:

You appear to believe that corporations and oil companies should be dismantled and put out of operation. Could you explain to the viewers why you believe this, what you believe the ramifications of your position would be if realized, and what you would do for all of the people who would be left behind if this were to happen?

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:19 PM)

Mr. McCain:

I respectfully ask that you DON'T listen to all people. There are many Americans filled with hatred for their country like the Reverend Wright, etc.
Let Obama represent those who carry racial, radical and anti-American sentiment.

Full Moon (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:24 PM)

"Nothing comes for free, not healthcare, not jobs, nothing. MCCAIN 2008! "

Nope - everything comes from tax cuts to the rich. John didn't used to believe that, but then Bush whispered in his ear, and he does now! A real man for all seasons, that John McCain.

(Hey, Joseph - I guess you don't pay much attention, but the mess Michigan is in can be laid directly at the feet of that dismal fraud Engler who DID think it was all free.)

Still has relatives in Michigan (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:25 PM)

Keith in PA: Look through the bull$^%$. Vote Obama!

I dug through bull$^%$, and at the bottom of the pile, I found Obama!

Kandy N. (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:26 PM)

So, let me get this straight.

A 71 year old white guy who voted against the Martin Luther King holiday is bothering (and I mean to use that word) to contest the black vote. This, as the party of the opposition nominates an African American.

O.K.

Yeah, sure.

Go ahead.

Good luck with that.

Cee Senior (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:29 PM)

PLEASE HAVE THE COURAGE TO POST THIS LINK! IT WILL CHANGE THE ELECTION TUESDAY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXum_-8I1TA

MR (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:30 PM)

With a population of around 20 thousand, Selma probably has the most presidential candidate visits per capita of any city in America. We've seen a Bush, both Clintons, Jackson, Sharpton, Obama, and now McCain.

If I didn't have to work today, I would have gone to greet him holding a Ron Paul sign.

Tony, Selma, AL (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:31 PM)

First of all, there is not one thing compassionate or conservative about the Republican Party when it comes to the middle class or the working poor. Their conservative values have driven the majority of Americans into bankruptcy, an economy in recession, a "leave every child behind" education policy, a multi-trillion dollar war debt, and a speed boat to China trade policy. In other words they are the party of "Your On Your Own". If you have an ounce of dignity and respect left after the past 7 years you'll vote for Obama to ring in the New Year!

Heather, WA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:34 PM)

That's the old politics talking. It's time for a change.

Karen, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:36 PM)

"Time for Action Tour"?!?!?!

How about taking some action in expediting an immediate solution to our troops who have served their 'tour of action' in Iraq and are now stranded there with no way out because of the current upheaval in the airline industry!!!???!!!... A family member being one of them... Bring 'our children' home!!!... Enough is enough...

Obama '08

Vermont Mom for Obama (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:41 PM)

mccain will 'listen to the people', then if they don't do what they are told he will kill them

MK,MO (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 2:49 PM)

What is really amazing to me is that people continue to support Obama in the face of his "bitter" comments when he came out and said that all of his campaign promises about outsourcing and "free trade" were just campaign blather. It looks like we will be experiencing genuine honest-to-god food and job riots in this country this coming Fall. If, as some analysts think, the prices of oil is pegged to the Euro this summer, then the flood of foreign investment capital leaving this country will turn into a panicky stampeed and our economy will collapse -- even China and India will dump their devalued reserves and move to leeching off Europe and Africa, having bled us dry. At least John McCain has the integrity and politcial ability to come out and say something like "I supported free trade, but I was wrong; now I;m going to end it". Obama and Clinton are both so far in hock to Wall Street and corporations that we don't have a prayer of them doing anything not permitted by their masters. So, even though I loathe our Middle Eastern adventures and cannot stand Bush-Cheney, I feel the alternative (Obama-Clinton and all of their yuppy investors, snot nosed MBA's, and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs) would be even worse. So....McCain 2008! Free trade is treason.

Mike Brooks, Eugene, Oregon (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:06 PM)

I definitely respect John McCain for this one. How many republicans would ever do what he did, when he knows he's going to receive less than 5 percent of the black vote. Obviously part of this is politics, just in case Clinton gets the nomination, but still I respect that.

Charles (LA, CA) (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:13 PM)

A vote for McCain, will be a vote for four more years of tragedy, misery, a weak economy, high gas prices (funny how the BUSH family made their millons in the oil business, and now that he's a "Lame Duck", we are getting shafted at the gas pump).

Just think about it, do you want 4 more years of what we have now?

Karen Palmer Cabazon, CA. (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:13 PM)

Joseph,
You mentioned some very good points. The fact is African-Americans are too loyal to the democratic party, and I'm saying that as a democrat. If republicans and democrats actually thought AA's were a swing vote can you imagine the good that would do to the black community as a whole. The problem is Joseph, AA's view the republican party as the status-quo good-ole boys, power structure party. I think if Bush would've done a good job as president he could have went a long way to eliminating that idea, as no matter how we feel about him, he was without a doubt the must race-inclusive president we've ever had.

Charles (LA, CA) (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:19 PM)

Dear Senator McCain,
Okay, listen to this:
1) End the war, now. Bring the troops home. The job is as "done" as it is ever going to be. It was a mistake to go there, and staying there is only making the mistake worse.
2) Figure out some way to keep American jobs in America.
3) Figure out a way to fix the oil crisis.
4) Figure out a way to pay for GWB's mistakes.

If you do, you have my vote. Otherwise, I'm going to vote for a Dem because at least he or she might bring some kind of change.

Good luck!

Jim - Syracuse, UT (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:24 PM)

"He has real problems 'crossing the aisle', because he blows up if anyone disagrees with him."

TLA,
You are the typical ignorant Obama supporter. It is Obama who has never crossed the aisle in the US Senate to compromise and work to pass a bill. He's the most liberal Democrat there.

Maverick McCain has reached across aisle so often that many Republicans do not like nor trust him. He is the true fighter against government pork.

noBama

The Truth Shall set you free (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:29 PM)

I appreciate Senator McCain trying to reach out....he has nothing but time its not like he has an opponent to face up with right now...so he can go anywhere he wants and talk to anyone he wants...why cause the democrats are still have petty elections about their personalities....so McCain keep talking pretty soon someone going to start listening....and you petty people on here who don't know these canidates personally shut up your guys sound stupid or like President Bush

So over it, PA vote the right way (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:32 PM)

Big Mac will listen to all people...but Hamas. One more thing that he's like Dubya, on. Don't think of them as the Palestinian Viet Cong, think of them as a Thousand Year Threat to No-Bid Contractors.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:33 PM)

I have zero respect for people who say they will vote for McCain if their democrat doesn't win. McCain has no intention of ending the war in Iraq and that's what this country needs in order to get back on track. You think this country is in recession now? If McCain were President things will continue to decline. A true democrat will support who ever the nominee is. Put your racism and sexism aside and vote for change. I prefer Obama but I will vote for Hillary if she somehow wins because I LOVE AMERICA AND DON'T WANT TO DOOM IT TO 4 MORE YEARS OF BUSH POLICIES! Like I said for those of you who will destroy the country by voting for a party who's views don't align with yours just out of anger because Hillary or Obama wins the nomination is unpatriotic and stupid. If Hillary supporters really turn to McCain like they say then this country will get exactly what it deserves.

Carol (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:34 PM)

MSNBC...DO YOUR JOB AND GET THIS ON T.V. TONIGHT!
PA DESERVES TO KNOW THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXum_-8I1TA

MR (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:36 PM)

I find it odd that some people think the doddering McCain will somehow "wipe the floor with Obama". In what way? Obama is a far superior politician and orator than McCain. Have you guys heard McCain speak? He doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. He has no health care plan, admits he doesn't know much about the economy and I don't even think that his foreign policy ideas make sense. Obama is the one that will wipe the floor with McCain!

LuvUSA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:39 PM)

SAVE YOUR MONEY JOHN...what little you have. You think the support for Hillary is low among AA.....

BTW if SD give this to Hillary we might not vote for her but neither will we vote for you. We'll stay home

Charles (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:40 PM)

Historically, McCain is famous for NOT listening to anyone who disagrees with him, why should this election be any different?

Vote with your head, vote for the economy, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 3:45 PM)

Senator McCain needs to read the following report on the Iraq War to educate himself on the cost and aftermath of the invasion of Iraq. I encourage the American public on the internet to read this report. I first heard about it via the April 17, 2008 evening program with Gene Burns, KGO talk radio.

"Choosing War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and the Aftermath"
April 2008 Report by Joseph J Collins, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
Following quote:
"The war in Iraq has become 'a major debacle' and the outcome 'is in doubt' despite improvements in security from the buildup in U.S. forces, according to a highly critical study published Thursday by the Pentagon's premier military educational institute.
The report released by the National Defense University raises fresh doubts about President Bush's projections of a U.S. victory in Iraq just a week after Bush announced that he was suspending U.S. troop reductions." - McClatchy Newspapers
You can access the 60 page report here: www.ndu.edu/inss/Occasional_Papers/OP5.pdf

seethruit (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:10 PM)

If McCain wants to LISTEN, he MUST first READ this Quote (and the full report):

"The war in Iraq has become 'a major debacle' and the outcome 'is in doubt' despite improvements in security from the buildup in U.S. forces, according to a highly critical study published Thursday by the Pentagon's premier military educational institute.
The report released by the National Defense University raises fresh doubts about President Bush's projections of a U.S. victory in Iraq just a week after Bush announced that he was suspending U.S. troop reductions." - McClatchy Newspapers

Access the 60 page report "Choosing War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and the Aftermath"
April 2008 by Joseph J Collins, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University at: www.ndu.edu/inss/Occasional_Papers/OP5.pdf

JT Pie (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:17 PM)

The press has been all over BO and HRC, but did nothing when McCain rammed the Titanic into that iceberg. That was big news, and they let him off the hook. How is that fair?

Leggo My Eggo, PA (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:18 PM)

Our current idiot-in-chief stood out in the crowds with a bullhorn and said "I hear you" too, and from that point on he became the deafest man in the country.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:23 PM)

The Republican party has shrunk to miltarists, elitits, racists and multinational corporations. Ordinary Americnas are waking up to the GOP's war on the American family and on the middle class. If we have 8 more yers of Republian rule, the US will be reduced internally to a third world country, albeit with the biggest military in the world.

sam sparling Chicago ILL (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:43 PM)

McCain will listen to everybody but he will decide within the Republican right agenda, JUST LIKE BUSH. Bush promised a compasionate conservatism and the only compasion we have seen is when he looked into V.Putin's eyes and all the trade agreements with China. There's all these complaints about north american Mexico and central american products. These are not comunist china who owns us finanacially and has taken more jobs away than all the countries south of the USA boarder. In fact, China is now taking away the jobs south of the boarder as well. NO, MCCAIN will not do anything that upsets Free Trade. He will talk sweet just like BUSH did and then kiss those American workers - good luck suckers. Any Democrat who votes for McCAin has not a clue about this election or the real differences between the policies of Barack and Hillary and those of John McCain. The Republican agenda has nothing to offer to the American worker except for trickle down pennys and a promise. It is always a promise undelivered. Their economic ideas are still warmed up stuff from the industrialist of the 19th century. Their ideas only worked well for the rich then and they are the same today. Wise up, America. John McCain has nothing new to offer except a nice face. Check his voting record. How many times did he vote with the Democrats. Few, few, few.

mexed, san antonio, texas (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:54 PM)

I may not have started out as a McCain supporter, but I would take him in a red hot minute over Clinton or Obama.

Clinton is a crook, but at least I know who she's really looking out for (herself).

Obama is just plain scary. I'm not sure who he's really looking out for, but I don't think it's your average every day American citizen, based on what I've seen and read.

McCain is a proven patriot. It seems he is able to play with both sides of the parties, which is why a lot of conservatives don't like him. I completely disagreed with his stance on illegal immigration. Then I heard him in a speech talking about why he's changed his views. "The American people spoke. That's not what they wanted." Seems to me like he did listen.

Go McCain!

JJ, Denver (Sent Monday, April 21, 2008 4:56 PM)

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