McCain presses national security record
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff
SOUTH NASHUA, N.H. -- Senator John McCain renewed his pitch for staying the course in Iraq before a largely sympathetic "town hall" meeting in the plush offices of defense giant BAE Systems this afternoon.
About 300 employees, gathered in the company's small auditorium and an adjacent lobby, provided the top GOP contender in Tuesday's primary a tailor-made opportunity to drive home his message that only he has the national security bona fides to win the war on terror and prevail in Iraq.
BAE's CEO Walt Havenstein introduced the Arizona Republican, telling the engineers and other high-tech workers and support staff that he voted for McCain on his absentee ballot because "nobody embodies character the way our guest does."
Havenstein then ran through a litany of military projects the company has been awarded since the US invasion nearly five years ago, including new armored vehicles able to withstand roadside bombs, saying the company is "building 25 a day" in plants in Pennsylvania and other states.
In his opening remarks McCain credited the recent surge of US troops in Iraq for his confidence that "we are succeeding in Iraq." Yet the troops, he quickly added, "are going to need more of your equipment."
McCain also picked up the endorsement today of former Congressman Charlie Bass, who called McCain "the only candidate with the proven national security experience vital to confronting the challenges facing our nation."
But the first question from the audience was not on Iraq or terrorism but an issue where McCain is seen vulnerable among Republican and independent voters in the Granite State: illegal immigration.
McCain defended himself against charges -- recently leveled in TV ads by his main rival here, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney -- that he supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.
Most of the questions, however, were perfectly suited for McCain -- his opposition as a former POW to torturing terror suspects and the fate of big-ticket weapons programs.
McCain also touched on what he said is the need to expand nuclear power to meet growing energy demands despite safety concerns surrounding the nearby Seabrook nuclear power plant
BAE, formerly British Aerospace, with $27 billion in annual revenues, has hosted other candidates this election season, including Romney and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, officials said.
John McCain and BAE Systems: Is there anything more to say? I don't think so. That's why I absentee voted for Barack Obama.
Does anyone realize that McCain wants to keep us in Iraq for another HUNDRED years!?!? Please spread this to your NH friends and ask them to reconsider their vote for him...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf7HYoh9YMM
Thank God for John McCain. He is the only Republican candidate that can beat ANY of the Democratic nominees.
I cannot wait to vote for him.
John McCain has the leadership experience to get America back on track.....
Go John Go!!!!!
Going into Iraq was a mistake... leaving early would be a bigger mistake. Now that we have lost nearly a trillion, we might as well try and get some of it back with controlled oil and investment.... as well as a great base for military work in the region. Anybody candidate that is for pulling out now... is just pandering to an ignorant public.
Romney's bashing of McCain is the height of absurdity. With no foreign policy credentials and a well manicured lawn (courtesy of illegals), Romney throws money at attacks instead of offering an actual solution to a complex problem.
Romney says that foreign policy experience is not necessary.What is he going to do, run attack ads at everything if he's president? The last time I checked, the guy who's advising him on foreign policy is the same guy who couldn't catch bin Laden.
Spend all the money you want, Mitt. It can't hide the fact that you're a lightweight. Maybe you can imagine some other events that your family has been a part of on the way out the door and we can all have a laugh at your rich man stupidity.
Go McCain.
Not sure what kind of people are buying McCain's experience in National Security and Foreign POlicy. He has been a senator for sooooooooo many years. America's foreign policy has been nothing but a disaster and we are in a no-win situation now. His war experience has made him a mad man. Peace is not a word in McCain's dictionary. I find this man the most disgusting for all his bragging about experience. Ron Paul is the only one who can make this country a better one.
I don't see how the people of N.H. could vote for a man who sings, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran." This is no joke. Send a message to America for real change.
Vote Constitution, Vote Ron Paul.
This appearance is just absolutely disgusting. Way to go, John. Sell those men and women in the military right down the Tigris River for the profit of a handful of men. Did you get a few donations, too? What color is that money? Red? A man who once fought against campaign finance has a black heart. Never really trusted that slant of his. Now he's crystal clear. Rotten.
All McCain haters:
How can all the newspapers be wrong when they endorsed McCain?
I have new found respect for boston globe.
What this country needs is Honesty and integrity and service.
anyone can offer service and claim to be honest.
Integrity is earned and time tested. With McCain you can trust him and not agree with him. That is a rare feeling.
Obama? Does anyone else realize he was raised in a militant Muslim household? By not only his father, but his stepfather as well. While everyone is attacking Romney on being a Morman, nary a thing about the "converted" Christian, Barack. He's running on the same platform as Patrick, "kumbaya" "together we can", blah, blah blah. Nothing concrete, except, "I'll pull the troops out"
Obama? Does anyone else realize he was raised in a militant Muslim household? By not only his father, but his stepfather as well. While everyone is attacking Romney on being a Morman, nary a thing about the "converted" Christian, Barack. He's running on the same platform as Patrick, "kumbaya" "together we can", blah, blah blah. Nothing concrete, except, "I'll pull the troops out." McCain has conviction and integrity, and questions?
For all those anti-Iraq people do you really know anything about it, have you been there? Have you been shot at or had an IED go of on one of your patrols? Have you spoken to Iraqi’s see the children running through the trash and sewage with no shoes? John McCain has seen war six long years of it, and he is the one canidate of either party that can lose more than his race for the white house. Both of his kids are in Iraq or have served in Iraq recently. Do you think this man would have his children go to war if he didn’t believe it is in the best interest of this country? Take it from a soldier; we will win with candidate that possesses the leadership and experience to see us through this very difficult situation. Finish the job and remember most of the Democrats that now tell me I wasted a year and a half of my life, voted to go to war with Iraq in 2003. McCain is smart, expirenced and will do what is right for this country. Let us finish what they started.
Sorry had a couple of typo's in the last comment.
For all those anti-Iraq people do you really know anything about it, have you been there? Have you been shot at or had an IED go of on one of your patrols? Have you spoken to Iraqi’s see the children running through the trash and sewage with no shoes? John McCain has seen war six long years of it, and he is the one candidate of either party that could lose more than his race for the white house. Both of his kids are in Iraq or have served in Iraq recently. Do you think this man would have his children go to war if he didn’t believe it is in the best interest of this country? Take it from a soldier; we will win with a candidate that possesses the leadership and experience to see us through this very difficult situation. Finish the job and remember most of the Democrats that now tell me I wasted a year and a half of my life serving in Iraq, voted to go to war with Iraq in 2003. McCain is smart, experienced and will do what is right for this country. Let us finish what they started.
McCain would bring civility back to Washington, a successful war against terrorism, and respect and dignity from the world. A presidential election between Obama and McCain would be about issues as it should because neither one would be willing to stoop to the negative, dirty tricks of Romney and Clinton. In the end, we'd all be proud that McCain is our president.
See a real perspective on McCain and the war: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
See a real perspective on McCain and the war: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk-T46soz8
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