McCain Talks up Economy During Colorado Swing


By Roger Fillion , Rocky Mountain News
August 1, 2008

Article Excerpt:

AURORA-- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain talked up the economy on a swing through Colorado, declaring Wednesday he opposes raising taxes and wants to boost oil production at home.

The Arizona senator sought to show he would do a better job at weaning the nation off foreign oil than his expected Democratic opponent in the November election, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

"We ought to start drilling for more oil at home, including offshore. Senator Obama opposes that," the presumptive GOP nominee told an audience of about 400 employees of Wagner Equipment Co., a Caterpillar dealership located here.

It was McCain's second visit to Colorado in less than a week. Recent polls suggest McCain's support of increased domestic oil production has given him a boost in this battleground state, where $4-a-gallon gasoline has been a major concern among voters.

During his town hall-style meeting at Wagner Equipment, McCain said he would support building 45 nuclear power plants in the United States by 2030 and he endorsed renewable power.

"I would like to show the world we are on a clear path toward energy independence," McCain told the gathered workers, many seated and standing on huge Caterpillar earth-moving vehicles.

Wearing a dark suit and red tie, McCain also attempted to allay conservative Republicans' recent grumblings over his stand on taxes.

The Arizona senator-- who concluded his two-day Colorado trip Wednesday-- signaled last weekend he may be open to a higher payroll tax for Social Security. That came despite repeated vows not to raise taxes.

"I will not raise your taxes or support a tax increase," McCain told the Wager Equipment audience. "I am opposed to raising taxes on Social Security."

Recent polling data suggest the presidential race in Colorado is a tight one. A poll released last week showed McCain has made big gains among Colorado voters in the past month and is now neck-and-neck with Obama.

The Quinnipiac University poll put McCain the top choice among 46 percent of likely Colorado voters compared with 44 percent for Obama.

A month ago, Obama held a 49-44 percent lead over McCain in the same poll.

Analysts suggested McCain's bump could reflect his support of increased domestic oil drilling, a view many Coloradans share.

Colorado Democrats immediately shot back at McCain's energy stance, saying the Republican party prioritizes oil industry profits over progress.

"John McCain has yet to offer a plan that would reduce gas prices and improve our economy, just more of the same windfalls for oil and gas executives," Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak said in a statement.

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