POLITICO MAFIOSO: The McCain Update

John McCain shined at this week's Fox News Debate at the University of New Hampshire, the highlight of another busy week of campaigning that brought him to Iowa and New Hampshire. McCain kicked off the week in Iowa, where he attended house parties with supporters in Gladbrook and Jewell. He then traveled to Neola for the Neola Veterans Monument Dedication and Unveiling before Labor Day parades in Neola and Essex.

His next stop was New Hampshire, where he headlined a Business and Industry Association Breakfast, met with the Granite State Manufacturers, and held a town halls in Bow and Merrimack. On Wednesday night, John McCain earned rave reviews for his strong debate performance, which resonated with New Hampshire voters in a post-debate focus group (watch here).

This weekend, John McCain will address the California Republican Party before kicking off his three-state "No Surrender" tour through Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, to rally public support before leading the fight in Congress against setting a date for surrender in Iraq.

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"John McCain ... Roared Back With A
Strong Debate Performance ..."
- CBN's David Brody

Weekly Must Reads
The Articles You Can't Miss

Union Leader (NH): "McCain Reborn: A
Comeback Begun"
USA Today: "Can McCain Forge His
Own Surge In New Hampshire?"
The Weekly Standard: "A New Race - McCain
Makes A Comeback and Thompson Jumps In"
The Concord Monitor: "McCain 'Gets' Value Of
State's First Primary"
The Des Moines Register: "McCain, Huckabee Help
Their Causes At GOP Debate"
The New York Times: "McCain Attacks Foes on
Security and Foreign Policy"

McCain Shines In Fox News Debate

John McCain was widely praised for his leadership and poise at Wednesday night's debate, but it was the words of New Hampshire voters themselves that demonstrate why John McCain won the debate and is best prepared to be Commander-in-Chief from day one.

Watch New Hampshire Voters Tell Fox News That McCain Won Debate

In their own words...

"I think John McCain sounded the most presidential, even the other
candidates were quoting John McCain during their responses."

"I think McCain just has the experience and it came through in his answers."
"[H]e was very passionate about being a leader. And that's what we need in
this country: a leader who's not afraid to do what he says."
Read more about what the press is saying about John McCain at Wednesday night's debate...

War Heroes Stand With McCain

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Col. Bud Day, USAF (Ret.) and LtCol. Orson Swindle, USMC (Ret.) spoke with WKBK's Al Kulas last Saturday. Day and Swindle were both prisoners of war in Vietnam during the nearly six years that John McCain was held captive. Both Day and Swindle emphasized John McCain's experience and character throughout his lifetime of service to his country

John McCain: "I don't feel like a hero. I feel like a person who was fortunate to serve in the company of heroes."

Excerpts from Interview On Keene, NH's WKBK Radio:

Col. Bud Day:

"[John McCain] does not compromise on principle. He is a really smart guy,
he has turned into an incredible political leader. ... [W]hen it comes to
character there is no compromise with John. When it comes to leadership, doing
the right thing, there is no compromise with John. I have been so proud of his
conduct since he got into politics that I can hardly describe it."

LtCol. Orson Swindle:
"Bud's talking about John's principles and his character and integrity - I
would contend that had there not been a code of conduct John McCain would have
done the very same thing he did because it's so inbred in him about honor and
duty and courage. ... We respect [John McCain] because we never question his
motives. We know that he is trying to do what he perceives to be the best thing
for this country."
Day: "[W]e enjoyed campaigning up there in 2000 and I know the people of New Hampshire will do the right thing by John. They recognize a leader when they see one
Listen To Col. Bud Day And Lt Col. Orson Swindle On WKBK Keene

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