McCain and Palin roll into Michigan

Austin News.Net
Friday 5th September, 2008

John McCain and Sarah Palin have received a rousing welcome in Democratic-leaning Michigan.

As they made their post-convention debut they stressed a strong America and the economy.

Big crowds cheered the Arizona senator and Alaska governor as they arrived at Freedom Hill Amphitheater in Michigan's Macomb County, the home to a multitude of working-class union members.

Republicans hope to win the blue collar vote with conservative positions on cultural and social issues.

Senator McCain told the crowd: "These are tough times for many of you, in the state of Michigan, times are tough. Many people here were worried about keeping their jobs and putting food on the table.”

"Send a team of mavericks who aren't afraid to go to Washington and break some china," McCain implored.

McCain noted the gloomy economic news from Washington and the fact the nation's unemployment rate had soared to a five-year high.

While not saying how he would fix the economy, Senator McCain leant on his vice-presidential running mate to win over the crowd.

"Isn't this the most marvelous running mate in the history of this nation?" McCain said of Palin, who introduced him as "the only great man in this race, the only man in this election ready to serve as our 44th president."

McCain's campaign in the blue collar areas has up to now been compromised by the fact that he has endorsed key elements of President Bush's record, most notably the war in Iraq and hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts to the wealthy.

McCain's "Straight Talk Express" bus will now take the McCain campaign to Colorado and New Mexico on the weekend.

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