JOHN MCCAIN 2008 RELEASES FIRST AD OF GENERAL ELECTION, LAUNCHES "SERVICE TO AMERICA" TOUR

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
Friday, March 28, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the first television ad of the general election. The ad, entitled "624787," poses important questions to the American people about what values they want in their next president, and highlights John McCain's experience, character and optimistic vision for our future. "624787" will run statewide in the important battleground state of New Mexico.

The campaign further announced that on Monday, John McCain will embark on a "Service to America" tour where he will introduce himself to the nation through a series of speeches and visits that trace the life of a man indebted to his nation, humbled by the opportunity to serve his country, honored by his family's love and deeply moved by his fellow Americans' courage and sacrifice. The tour will highlight the events and figures that shaped his views of right and wrong, forgiveness and grace and the tradition of service and sacrifice ingrained in him from generations of McCains. This "Service to America" tour will fundamentally be about the future of America and the change John McCain will bring as president, informed by the values that have guided his life.

On today's Blogger Call, McCain Spokespersons Jill Hazelbacker & Steve Schmidt announced the "Service To America Tour". Next week, the GOP Nominee JOHN McCAIN will tour the country with a series of speeches on the Future of America, Education, Health Care, and his lifetime of service.

Day 1 - McCain Field in Mississippi: John McCain will talk about his lifetime of service

Day 2 - Alexandria, VA: John McCain talks about of the influence of his HS English Teacher

Day 3 - US Naval Academy Annapolis, MD: John McCain will discuss his journey to Annapolis

Day 4 - Jacksonville, FL: John McCain will talk about the Brave Men & Women of the Military

Here is Hugh Hewitt's take on the Blogger Call this morning:

Friday, March 28, 2008

"A Significant Increase In The Army and Marine Corps"
Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 10:17 AM

In the blogger conference call today, McCain Senior Advisor Steve Schmidt outlined next week's "Service to America" tour. Senator McCain will be making speeches from McCain Field in Mississippi, Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, Annapolis, Maryland, Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida. Each stop will underscore some aspect of the senator's life story, as well as the McCain family's many-generation commitment to the country's safety.

At the Jacksonville stop, the GOP nominee will call for a significant increase in the size of the Army and Marine Corps. I asked if the Navy would be part of the call for an expanded military, and Schmidt demurred until the senator speaks next week. It seems to me that a naval power needs more than the 280 ship Navy we are headed for. Expansion of the military is a crucial issue for the fall campaign. The Jacksonville speech will thus be a very significant milestone in Campaign 2008.