Watch video from Dover and Exeter, NH

Exeter, NH

Rallying on day three of the New Hampshire Straight Talk tour, the weather finally broke and everyone was relieved to see a break in the nor’easter conditions. While the snow and inclement weather were gone, the high energy and the straight talk remained.

When he arrived in Exeter, John McCain was greeted by a capacity sized crowd and a deafening cheer that lit up his eyes and energized his remarks. Both he and the audience fed off each other's energy, asking the tough questions, giving the honest answers, and both laughing together. It was the third town hall of the trip in New Hampshire and the seventh event overall; definitely one of his best. Not even a loud sobbing baby could distract from the energy. He commented about the baby, “Well, I lost that vote," to which the audience erupted in laughter. He shared the stage with local Exeter residents, who included military veterans and active service. The senator made sure to pay homage to them before the town hall began.

While not all of the 500 attendees got the chance to ask their question answered, all got to know the Senator a little better and be assured that the Straight Talk Express is back in New Hampshire. He reassured them that he is still the same candidate he was in 2000 when he won the primary by 18%. John McCain paced the stage taking questions from all around, involving the entire audience in the event.

When the event ended, John and Cindy McCain were mugged by photo and autograph seekers. Cindy was as popular as her husband with the Exeter residents. As they prepared to board the bus, a large SUV across the street featured a four foot “John McCain for President” sign. He stood outside in the freezing weather for at least another 15 minutes taking questions, posing for photos and greeting guests individually before finally departing the state. “We’ll be back often,” he commented.

Dover, NH

Cars lined the street a half mile long and there needed to be a shuttle service to get guests to the event and through the freezing cold. Residents from Dover and the surrounding area all crowded into the largest room in the house and asked John McCain a variety of questions.

Following the Senator’s opening remarks, the event became a true informative session, a real get to know the candidate experience for all attendees. The questions were brief, to the point and delivered in rapid fire succession. "What's your stance on gun control…immigration…health care…campaign finance…” The group definitely had their morning coffee, but John McCain had as well and he intently listened to each question and delivered in-depth answers from his perched position on the stairs above the crowd.

After the question and answer session, host Dan Philbrick concluded the event by bestowing a traditional Irish blessing upon the Senator.

There was a short private meeting between the Senator and the family following the event, during which local musician Bob Kroeple sat down at the piano. As John McCain remerged from the meeting for another round of goodbyes, Kroeple was in the middle of the Marine Corps hymn with all guests singing along in a rousing rendition. When the song was finished, the group immediately tried their hand at God Bless America.

As the staff tried desperately to keep the show on time, escorting the Senator outside, McCain stopped for additional pictures. He hung around for a 15 minute photo shoot outside in the freezing New Hampshire weather. While he didn’t have a coat himself, McCain repeatedly apologized to the guests for keeping them outside. Smiling and waving goodbye, the Senator made his way through the family’s barn, disrupting a floor hockey game between the local youths. He made one last pause for photos with local law enforcement before boarding the Straight Talk Express for the trip to Exeter and the last town hall of the tour.

Quotes from the Road

“We are very pleased with the Senator visiting the city of Dover. We have great community activists and involvement with getting to know the candidates, we take our involvement seriously and appreciate the senators visit. We wish him well in the State of New Hampshire.”

Scott Meyers
Mayor of Dover, New Hampshire

More Pictures From The Road