Pocono News Section

Kirby Center Only About 1/3 Full for McCain Visit

Kirby Center Only About 1/3 Full for McCain Visit - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 5:15PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008 @ 05:15pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Senator John McCain has wrapped-up his first campaign visit to northeastern Pennsylvania. The three-term senator made two stops in Wilkes-Barre.

Eyewitness News was at the Kirby Center where McCain held a town hall meeting. More than 600 people turned out to hear what the Republican presidential candidate had to say, but the crowd only filled one third of the Kirby Center. Still those people were happy to hear McCain talk about his plans to move the country forward.

As he took the stage at the Kirby Center, Senator McCain gave a brief wave. Moments later he got right to the issues, the economy and Iraq. “We've got major challenges in this country. I believe that we're going to have to all join together, Republicans and Democrats," he said.

McCain also said the nation needs to invest in wind, solar and nuclear energy, in addition to clean coal technology. Think of how many jobs that would create in the state of Pennsylvania, Ohio and other parts of the country,” he said during his speech.

The three-term senator spoke for 19 minutes before taking questions from 9 people in the audience. On education McCain said no child left behind needs to be fixed.

On gas prices he's pushing for a gas tax holiday, and on Iraq the former POW said the troop surge is working. “I am confident with the progress the Iraqi Government has made, that we will be able to withdraw," he said.

Reaction to McCain’s town hall meeting was mostly positive. Pike County Commissioner Harry Forbes said, “I thought it was more that he was listening to what Northeastern Pennsylvania had to say, what was important on our minds and I thought he answered. It was a great talk."

Tim Calhoun of Penns Creek said, “We appreciated his stance on the military and the surge. The fact that it’s working, supporting our troops."

There were many undecided voters in Wednesday’s crowd. They say McCain swayed their vote. Frank Jescavage of Benton said, “The teter-totter was straight across. After listening to McCain, its going down a degree towards McCain."

Senator McCain addressed his opponent Barack Obama several times during his town hall meeting. He also said he believes our nation's best days are still ahead.