Many believed coming to the McCain rally would get them “energized,” and they were not disappointed. On October 9, John McCain and Sarah Palin came to Waukesha as part of their “Road to Victory Rally.” Designed as a town hall meeting, 5,000 people came to hear what they had to say. Some felt, like Mary Kirchhoff, that this was a historical event.
For the others it was the first time being at such an event. “It’s a great experience for (someone) so young,” Nathan Keoppner, 17, from Watertown said. His father, also in attendance, was the one who encouraged him into politics. His father added, “The press (has given) Sarah a bad rap.”
Before McCain and Palin spoke, the crowd was ignited by speakers including Paul Ryan, Scott Walker and Tommy Thompson, followed by cheers of “USA! USA!” and “John McCain! John McCain!” after many of the statements. Jennifer Youngblood, a Native American, talked about Palin’s experience with foreign affairs, using agreements Palin has worked out with Canada as an example.
Youngblood also noted that McCain had much more experience working with tribal issues, citing, “There are 20 reservations in Arizona, and zero in Illinois.”
When the crowd was completely electrified, Palin came out to speak. She started by talking about the recent debate. Palin explained McCain’s plans to improve the economy, “win the war, and plans to protect your constitutional rights,” adding that Wisconsin will “come down to the wire.”
After stating that they came to offer “straight answers,” McCain was introduced. Soon after explaining his stand on issues (and after the loud cheers), he took questions from the audience, none of which were pre-approved.
There were many questions, including oil being outsourced, abortion, A.C.O.R.N. and hate crime legislation. Others brought up the mortgage crisis, gas prices, insurance concerns for small businesses and advocacy for disabled children.
Another question involved the desire to know the truth of where funds for Obama’s campaign are coming from, who he is associated with and who Obama has funded himself. One man commented how mad he was at the “socialists taking over our country.”
One man, James T. Harris, an African American, discussed how McCain asked his supporters to fight for him. Harris said that he doubted anyone else in this room has received an “ass-whipping” for doing just that. He then expressed his frustration about Obama’s association with A.C.O.R.N. and other related issues. Harris told McCain, “It’s absolutely vital that you take it to Obama.”
McCain answered, “We need to restore hope and trust and confidence in America, and know, and have Americans know that our best days are ahead of us. That’s the future and beauty of America.”
Others talked about the war, the desire to win and bring the soldiers home with honor. One man, Scott Southworth, an Iraq war veteran, was outraged that the good being done in Iraq gets ignored, not only by Obama, but also the media. Southworth then explained the process of adopting his son, who he met in Iraq.
While serving in Iraq, Southworth volunteered at an orphanage, where he bonded to one boy, Ala-a, who is disabled. He found out that Ala-a was to be moved to “a facility where his life was at risk,” Southworth explained. “I couldn’t let that happen.”
To help this boy, Southworth started a rescue operation, and brought him to America in 2005. “Then about two and a half years later I was able to legally adopt him as my son, and he became a U.S. citizen.”
“Every time we get a little depressed about some of the news we get, some of the challenges we have, you hear a story like this, and you know it’s only in America,” McCain said. He then talked about bringing the troops home with honor, and “they won’t have to go back.”
McCain ended, “We understand the trust and the confidence that you are placing in us.” Adding, “We will not let you down.
Scott Southworth, an Iraq war veteran, and son, Ala-a, who Southworth adopted from an Iraqi orphanage. (Bob Hanson)
McCain listens as people at the Waukesha rally ask questions. (Alexis Scheel)
