McCain Rides Wave of New Momentum

By Robin Mazyck

CBNNews.com

January 5, 2008

CBNNews.com - PETERBOROUGH, NH - A crowd of about 350 packed into a town hall meeting in the idyllic town of Peterborough, NH Saturday afternoon to hear Sen. John McCain stump for last minute votes before Tuesday's primary.

McCain is riding a new wave of momentum after his third place finish in Iowa Thursday.

His campaign had all but crashed and burned and supporters jumped ship after McCain harshly criticized the war in Iraq and released a controversial proposal on immigration.

But the tide seems to be turning and McCain is saying he was right all along despite criticism from fellow Republicans.

"I am the only candidate… that said the Rumsfeld strategy would fail," McCain told the audience during the Town Hall meeting. "I said we have to adopt this new strategy (proposed by Gen. David Petraeus) and this new strategy is working. None of the other candidates said a word."

He also took a moment to talk about his efforts to end pork barrel spending and campaign finance reform. Republicans still hold a grudge against McCain for his efforts in this area.

When asked about his immigration plan, McCain said "the first thing I will do is secure our borders. I do not support amnesty."

McCain said the people who are in this country illegally should be deported immediately, but "we are a Judeo-Christian nation and we need to handle these people with compassion."

According to one of his former policy advisers, much of the buzz about McCain centers on his experience and his ability to connect with people.

CBN News spoke with Robert Fisher who now volunteers with McCain. Fisher said McCain's experience allows him to conduct business without consulting lawyers or others.

Supports agree.

"I like McCain's views on the important issues," Melinda Breen of Jaffrey??NH said. "He has good ole common sense. He's straightforward and to the point. I'm ready to vote for him."

McCain needs more people like Breen in his corner. With the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, McCain is hoping to repeat history. He won New Hampshire in 2004 against current President George Bush by a large measure.

At the town hall meeting, McCain took a few seconds to take a dig at former Massachusettes Governor Mitt Romney by referring to his wealth.

"You can not buy an election in the state of new hampshire my dear friends," McCain said.

He also poked fun at Mike Huckabee's new "right-hand man" Chuck Norris saying he'd brought his own Hollywood, heavyweight champion in Wilford Brimley the former Marine who turned into a TV star.

Stay tuned to CBNNews.com for the latest on the election. David Brody and I are in New Hampshire following candidates as they stump for last minute votes.

Translate Page