McCain Tries to Look Past Racial Divide
Today in Selma, Ala., on John McCain's first stop of his "It's Time for Action" tour, he reached out to African Americans, well aware of the fact that it'll be an uphill battle to gain their support of the fall.
African Americans make up 70 percent of the population in Selma, where McCain recounted "Bloody Sunday", the civil rights march that ended violently with attacks from state troopers.
After his remarks, a reporter pointed out to McCain that African Americans were notably absent in the audience. "I have had long and varied experiences with people from all communities and all ethnic backgrounds in America," McCain said. "I am aware of the of the fact that there will be many people who will not vote for me but I'm going to be the president of all the people and I will work for all the people and I will listen to people whether they decide to vote for me or not," he said.
He said this tour is an opportunity for him to listen to Americans, "so that I know what their hopes, dreams and challenges and aspirations are. I am going to the places frankly in the country where there is the greatest need. Whether at the end of the day they choose to vote for me or not, is not my major purpose. My major purpose is that if I understand the challenges and they are enormous, that they face today, I will be a far better President of the United States."
McCain also acknowledged that African Americans make up a small part of the Republican vote. "My concern about America has not got to do with party identification. My concerns about America today is that Americans are hurting," he said.
He also pushed his "gas tax holiday" to cheers from the crowd and he said he looks forward to the debate against Obama or Clinton on lower taxes, the war and healthcare, "I'm confident I can prevail in that debate," he said.