June 16, 2010An upbeat and affable John McCain greeted an overflow Fountain Hills crowd this past Saturday, pledging to continue the fight in Washington, D.C. for smaller government and reduced spending.
The animated Community Center audience broke out in applause for the U.S. senator many times during his one-hour town hall-style meeting.
“I learn more at these meetings than you do,” McCain said. “This is the most fundamental part of democracy – personal contact with citizens.”
Last year’s GOP Presidential nominee is facing opposition in the primary from former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, though his name wasn’t mentioned at the forum, along with Jim Deakin.
Most of the discussion centered on President Obama, his administration and recent moves by Congress.
In his opening remarks, McCain touched upon major issues such as foreign policy, the economy and mounting debt, healthcare reform, securing the border and Arizona’s now-famous SB 1070.
Accompanying McCain to the get-together was Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and Jay Vargas, a highly-decorated retired Marine colonel and Medal of Honor recipient.
Babeu addressed the crowd several times on issues dealing with border security and SB 1070.
McCain noted that Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of a citizen uprising in Iran, prompting violence and bloodshed.
“It’s time to stop apologizing for America and stand up for these people,” McCain said, also citing situations in North Korea and Tibet.
“And our treatment of Israel is disgraceful…”
Quickly switching gears to the economy, McCain said the country’s accumulated debt is $1.4 trillion and at this pace it could be $16 trillion by 2014.
“The numbers are staggering and beyond belief,” he said, often referring to the crowd as “my friends.” “All of us have worked hard our lives and always turned the country over to the next generation in better shape than what we left it in…
“That no longer is the case. We’ve committed generational theft.”
McCain said there is a “great nervousness” in the country regarding “Obamacare.”
“We’re facing a situation of utmost seriousness out there and there is just a huge disconnect in Washington, D.C.”
McCain called for the repeal and replacement of the adopted healthcare reform with more “common sense” measures such as promoting health and wellness initiatives.
McCain said he and fellow Senator Jon Kyl have come up with a 10-point plan to secure this country’s southern border.
“The violence on the other side the border is so horrendous,” McCain said.
A recent major drug bust involving Mexican cartels revealed the main distribution point was Phoenix and that Arizona’s capital city remains the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world – just behind Mexico City.
“Where are the human rights activists for all the people being smuggled into the United States?” McCain asked. “We can stop that with a secure border.”
McCain came out in favor of SB 1070 before it was signed by Gov. Jan Brewer.
“The distortions of that bill are unbelievable,” he told the crowd of more than 200 people.
“This country has always opened its borders to immigrants. We just want them to come here legally.”
Questions
McCain fielded nearly 10 questions from audience members, including Bob Slobin, who was treated to some boos and negative comments from the boisterous partisan crowd after pressing the senator on his role in de-regulating the financial industry under the Bush administration.
“It’s easy to make the federal government the bogey man for everything,” Slobin said, “but you’ve been a part of that government for a long time.
“The government is broken and we’re afraid of what’s going to happen.”
Slobin felt that de-regulation of the mortgage and financial industries during the Bush administration played a major role in the recent financial collapse of this country, asking why McCain didn’t do more to stop it.
“I stood up against my own president and party on pork barrel spending and earmarks,” McCain replied.
The senator said he was part of a contingent that wrote a letter in 2004 warning of a financial meltdown due to practices being conducted by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
McCain added that legislation was introduced but that it was blocked by the Democrats.
State Rep. John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills, who co-sponsored SB 1070, applauded McCain for attempting to get the “right number” of National Guard troops deployed to the border.
President Obama recently announced that 1,200 troops would be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border, but they will be taking up “back office” jobs to allow Border Patrol agents and others on the front lines.
In late May, the Senate voted down a McCain amendment that would have sent 6,000 troops to the border – half earmarked solely for Arizona.
“What do you think the chances are of getting the additional troops?” Kavanagh asked.
McCain replied, “We are making some headway. There is an overwhelming public opinion that they want the border secured. I think we will succeed.”
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