Evening Wrap Up – March 17, 2007

While Senator McCain had a quick cameo appearance in the movie Wedding Crashers, he never expected to actually find himself in the middle of someone else’s wedding. But that is exactly what greeted him last night when the Straight Talk Express arrived at the Concord Marriott for the night. The guests, many of whom had spilled into the lobby, were thrilled to see him. The wedding party came out for pictures, leading the mother of the bride to declare a perfect ending to a perfect day.

This ad hoc meet and greet came not long after another unscheduled stop at the Capitol Convenience Store. With a banner on the door stating “John McCain, American Hero,” John and Cindy McCain stopped by for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Beer tasting event, While Senator McCain sampled some of the local beers, the owner told him, “You’re a real straight talker.” She said she had been a supporter of Bill Clinton’s in the 1990 but is 100% behind Senator McCain today.

The two events were the perfect close to a day of energy and eleven hours of non-stop events – two town halls, one house party, a meet and great lunch, and few unplanned stops. The Straight Talk Express will be back tomorrow.

Lebanon Town Hall

At the last town hall of the day, John McCain was in vintage straight talk form opening with comments on Iraq, pork-barrel spending, immigration, and climate change. Before he opened the forum up to questions from the audience, McCain reaffirmed his support of New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary status. He recognized that the citizens of New Hampshire understand their responsibility and take it seriously. “It is a wonderful and honorable tradition and I want to help your first in the nation status,” he said.

Midway through his comments, Senator McCain turned to government waste and his long fight against irresponsible, pork-barrel spending. "In order for voters to remain loyal to the Republican Party, it has to stop," said McCain, specifically mentioning the recent $3 million earmark for DNA tests for bears. “Is it some kind of paternity test or maybe a criminal background check?” The senator promised the crowd that as President he will veto all pork filled bills that passed his desk and make the people responsible for those irresponsible earmarks famous.

The give and take continued until once again and the New Hampshire campaign staff again had to pull Senator McCain off the stage to keep the tour on time. He quickly went into the back room where joined Cindy for photos with Boy Scouts, NH State Troopers, local staff and supporters. As “Johnny Be Good” played in the background, the traveling party made their way to the Straight Talk Express for the trip to the last event of the day in Bow.

Lunch in Manchester

The snowplow’s license plate, Get R Done, has become the mantra for today’s Straight Talk Express tour as the campaign continues through the snow drifts.

With two events to go and hours still to travel, the bus pulled in for a quick lunch in Manchester at a local cafe, Chez Vachon. Senator McCain made the rounds at the restaurant introducing himself to the lunchtime crowd of about 40. While enjoying a quick BLT, Senator McCain stopped for pictures with local patrons and jumped up from the table for a quick interview with the local Manchester TV.

Before leaving, McCain stepped into the kitchen and worked with the cooks for a few minutes. He even fried an egg before boarding the bus for the 75 miles trip to Lebanon, NH.

With plenty of coffee and donuts on board thanks to a roadside delivery by local supporters, no amount of snow is going to slow the Straight Talk Express this afternoon.

Milford Town Hall

With a plow leading the Straight Talk Express through snow covered streets in New Hampshire, John McCain kicked off his first town hall in New Hampshire since the 2000 campaign. The event started upbeat and full of energy as a smiling John McCain, accompanied by his wife Cindy, took the stage to a standing ovation. After being introduced by State Senator Peter Bragdon, John McCain asked the crowd, jokingly, for their thanks for plowing the roads.

He acknowledged the veterans in attendance and declared the troops and members of the current armed forces as the best of us. He expressed his gratitude to all current and past members of the military and instructed the crowd to go up to a military person the next time they see one and say thank you.

Moving on to the topics of the day, John McCain criticized the recent Senate resolutions on Iraq, asking, "Can't we be given a chance to see if (the surge) succeeds?” The crowd warmly cheered.

As the floor opened for questions, no topic was taboo. From Iraq, to social security, John McCain addressed to pressing topics of the day.

The event proceeded and the senator took about 3 or 4 "last questions" before his campaign staff, eager to keep the tour on schedule, asked the Senator to finally wrap it up. A quick press gaggle outside of the Straight Talk Express and they were off to the next event; trudging through the snowy NH streets following the plow.