McCain Talks Age, Experience In N.H.
A big snowstorm Tuesday made for a smaller audience Wednesday for Arizona Sen. John McCain, who unlike his rivals, has spent most of the week in New Hampshire instead of Iowa.
The Republican presidential hopeful had been scheduled to address high school students at Pembroke Academy but because of the storm, school was delayed for two hours. Instead, he spoke to few dozen voters in the school's library.
When McCain asked for questions, several voters simply made comments instead, praising him for his years of service in the U.S. Navy and as a senator.
"You represent to me ... one of the greatest inspirations. Thank you for the example you set, that's all I want to say," one man told him.
Another voter, however, questioned whether McCain, 71, has the stamina to endure four years of president, plus another four if he got re-elected.
"Eight years in the White House is a long time, and I'm wondering if you have the health and endurance to do eight years, because it's very demanding," she said.
McCain noted that he has been bringing his 95-year-old mother on the campaign trail to show off his "good genes," but said candidates should not think in terms of eight years.
"I feel very vigorous," he said. "But the decision as to whether to run for re-election has to do with the circumstances of the time.
"You shouldn't run for eight years because then you think you have eight years to get these things done," he said listing issues such as Social Security and illegal immigration.
"We've got to get these things done immediately. We don't have time to waste," he said. "All I can say is I'm running for a four-year term."
Joining McCain in New Hampshire was Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent who endorsed him last month. The pair circulated through a packed diner in Derry before sitting down for a quick lunch.
Diner Dottie Maddox, a Republican from Derry, said she has supported McCain since his 2000 campaign, but her husband is a more recent convert.
"My husband is an independent and a veteran, and this is the first time we will be voting alike in 22 years of marriage," she said. Asked if Lieberman's endorsement helped McCain, she said, "It certainly doesn't hurt."
McCain, who is tied with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a WMUR/CNN poll released Wednesday, is hoping a strong showing in the state he won in 2000 will propel him to further victories down the road. Asked how things will change once the rest of the Republican field arrives from Iowa, McCain joked:
"I encourage them to remain in Iowa as long as possible."