McCain Brings Muscle To Ohio In Final Election Push

This story was written by Holly Davis, The Lantern

Ohio State Sen. Steve Stivers, country music star Hank Williams Jr. and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were among those who addressed the crowd.

"I thought [the rally] was fantastic," said Mary Estock, chair of the Ohio State College Republicans. Many OSU students attended and responded positively, said the senior in finance.

Sen. Stivers called John McCain "a man of proven and unmatched experience," who "we need in the White House."

McCain told the audience that even though he was down a few points in the polls, he would do everything he could to bring them a victory Tuesday.

No Republican presidential candidate has ever won the presidency without carrying Ohio, a sentiment that was not lost in McCain's speech.

McCain told the crowd that "the 'Mac' is back," and asked Ohio to lead the U.S. in electing him the next president.

McCain said if he was elected president he would fight to shake up Washington, and lead America in a new direction.

"I've been fighting for this country since I was 17 years old and I have the scars to prove it," said the former prisoner-of-war. "I'm not afraid of the fight; I'm ready for the fight."

Cutting capital-gains taxes and business taxes would keep jobs in America, put money in the pockets of the American people and strengthen the economy, McCain said. "I'm going to make government live on a budget just like you do," McCain said.

McCain also said he will drill offshore for oil and invest in safe alternative energies such as solar, wind, nuclear and clean coal.

McCain promised to freeze government spending on all but what he calls the most important programs - defense, veterans' care, Social Security and health-care - while eliminating programs that do not work for the American people.

"I will veto every single pork-barrel bill that comes across my desk," he said.

Estock said she is excited about McCain's plans for America. Keeping taxes low on small businesses, cutting spending and cleaning up Washington will allow Americans to live the American dream and help those who own small businesses, she said.

An Obama presidency would have a negative effect on the economy, among other things, McCain said.

McCain capitalized on criticism Obama has received for recent comments he made in favor of "spreading the wealth around," which has come to represent an underlying socialist ideology to many Republicans.

Redistribution of wealth is a socialist ideology, Estock said. It needs to be addressed because it is important that people know what they are getting into when they vote for Obama, she added.

"Sen. Obama is running to be redistributionist-in-chief," McCain said. "I'm running to be commander-in-chief. Sen. Obama is running to spread the wealth. I'm running to create wealth."

McCain also voiced discontent with the "liberal media." He said even though the political pundits have written him off and Obama is "measuring the drapes" in the Oval Office, he will not give up.

"America is worth fighting for we never give up, we never quit," he said. "Friends, we're a few points back, but we're coming back, and we're coming back strong."