McCain Vows To Continue Spirited Campaign

This story was written by Bailey Shiffler, Daily Skiff

Obama, who already said he wants to bring troops home from Iraq, said Tuesday that if al-Qaida is forming a base in Iraq, the U.S. would have to "act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."

McCain recapped Obama's comments and said, "My friends, al-Qaida is in Iraq, and they're on the run, but they're not defeated."

He said Obama's critique of the decision to go to Iraq is "about the past."

"If we want to set a date for withdrawal, my friends, that's a date for surrender," McCain said.

He said he would never set a deadline for troop withdrawal, saying he would "bring them home with honor and not with defeat."

In his speech in Richardson to Texas Instrument employees, McCain also emphasized the need for corporate tax cuts.

McCain said corporate taxes need to be lowered in order to entice businesses to return to the United States.

"I want to continue the unleashing in entrepreneurial spirit of America and the innovation that has made Texas Instruments the envy of the world," McCain said. By lowering corporate taxes, McCain said, more businesses would be inclined to stay in the U.S.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, introduced McCain, calling him an "American hero" and saying "it is his time" to be president.

After his brief speech, McCain opened the floor for questions.

Fielding a query as to whether he would be aggressive against a Democratic candidate in the general election, McCain said he would conduct a respectful campaign, but a spirited campaign, nonetheless.

McCain also said Congress members need to be willing to "reach their hand across the aisle" for the good of the American people and be more bipartisan in their work.

McCain ended his speech by encouraging the audience to vote.

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