PETERBOROUGH, N.H.—Confetti in the air and negative ads on the airwaves surrounded Republican John McCain as he held his 100th town hall meeting in New Hampshire on Saturday.
The blasts of red, white and blue confetti made for a victory party-like atmosphere at the crowded Peterborough Town Hall, where dozens of people were turned away because the auditorium had reached its capacity. Standing in front of several men who served as prisoners of war with him, McCain continued to emphasize his foreign policy credentials, calling the Iraq war the central battleground in the fight against radical Islamic extremists.
"I am responsible for the biggest change that has saved American lives," he said referring to his early support of increasing troop levels in Iraq.
The Arizona senator is in a tight race with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has been running ads critical of McCain's position on illegal immigration. McCain has responded with negative ads of his own questioning Romney's leadership and foreign policy experience.
Though McCain didn't mention his rivals, it was clear Saturday that Romney's ads have been getting through to voters. A legal immigrant from India asked McCain to explain his alleged support for allowing illegal immigrants to collect Social Security and other benefits.
"I worked hard and I've been in my business for 37 years and I've never asked the government for a dollar," the man told McCain. "I'm a proud American and I don't understand, for the love of me, Republicans and Democrats calling illegal immigrants guest workers and providing for them and allowing them all kind of services. And I'm given to understand you endorse some of them."
McCain strongly objected.
"I do not support nor would I ever support any services provided to someone who came to this country illegally, nor would I ever and have never supported Social Security benefits for people who are in this country illegally, that is absolutely false," he said before giving his oft-repeated account of how he now realizes that the borders must be secured before any immigration reform can move forward.
McCain sponsored a 2006 bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to apply to become citizens after learning English, paying fines and back taxes and clearing a background check.
Romney called the immigration bill reasonable in 2005 but now says he opposes it. His claim that McCain supported allowing illegal immigrants to collect Social Security is based on McCain's vote against an amendment that would have prevented illegal immigrants who work and pay taxes from receiving credit toward future benefits if they later become citizens.
McCain drew his loudest applause when answering a question about ensuring the future of Social Security. Saying he would create a bipartisan commission to work out a solution, McCain decried the partisan gridlock that he said too often blocks change.
"That's what this problem is all about in Washington, we put party ahead of country. I will not do that," he said. "I will reach across the aisle."
